Take a vacation and prevent a disease

One in four people in the U.S. dies from heart disease each and every year, making it the number one killer in our country, beating out all forms of cancer.

What’s really scary is that even though deaths from heart disease have declined in other countries around the globe, according to the American Heart Association, they’ve actually risen here at home.

And, a large majority of those increased deaths are probably thanks to the skyrocketing rates of metabolic syndrome in our country.

If you haven’t heard the term before, here’s a quick crash course on the syndrome…

A cluster of risk factors

Metabolic syndrome isn’t a disease of its own. Instead, it’s a collection of risk factors that significantly raise your risk of heart disease. The more of the risk factors you have, the higher your risk of developing cardiovascular issues.

Risk factors included under the metabolic syndrome heading are:

• High blood pressure
• High blood sugar
• Increased waist circumference
• Abnormal cholesterol levels (including high LDL or low HDL)
• High levels of triglycerides

But, there is good news…

Since all of these risk factors are known to be modifiable, it means they can change or even be eliminated.

And now, thanks to research by a team of scientists at Syracuse University, we’ve got an easy and enjoyable way to do just that.

Use it, don’t lose it

The research team was aware of the mountains of anecdotal evidence claiming that taking a vacation is good for your health. So, they decided to put the theory to the test and see what a vacation from work can do to reduce your risk of heart disease…

And, their results backed up the claim that taking time off is good for more than just your mental health.

“What we found is that people who vacation more frequently in the past 12 months have a lowered risk for metabolic syndrome and metabolic symptoms,” said Bryce Hruska, an assistant professor of public health at Syracuse University’s Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. “This is important because we are actually seeing a reduction in the risk for cardiovascular disease the more vacationing a person does.”

According to the researchers, the bottom line is that you can actually reduce your risk of metabolic syndrome and the heart disease that comes with it simply by going on vacation. And, what better reason could there be to book that trip you’ve been dreaming of?

Extra tips to stay heart healthy

In addition to taking a vacation for your heart’s sake, be sure to follow these heart-healthy tips too:

#1 – Go nutrient-rich

A 17-year study over of over 10,700 people found that a diet rich in fresh veggies and fruits, nuts and dried fruits, whole grain bread, and bran cereal can significantly reduce your risk of dying from heart disease.

#2 – Grab triple heart disease protection

Another 14-year study of 84,129 healthy women found that following three rules ensured a heart disease rate of one-sixth of people who ignored them. The three rules were:

• Exercise 30 minutes per day
• Don’t smoke
• Eat a diet rich in cereal fiber and omega 3 fatty acids but low in trans-fats and refined sugar

Simple, right?

Cereal fibers can include granola, bran and whole grain. And, you can get those omega 3 fatty acids from fish like salmon and sardines or take a high-quality fish oil supplement.

#3 – Optimize your thyroid function

Why are we talking about your thyroid when you’re trying to prevent heart disease?

Well, two separate studies by Austrian physicians confirmed a significant link between your thyroid function and your risk of developing arteriosclerosis and heart disease.

In the first study, the physicians found that when they removed the thyroid gland of sheep, every single one of the animals ended up with blocked arteries and the heart disease that comes with them.

And, the second study showed that when they restored normal thyroid levels via hormone replacement in sheep whose thyroids had been removed, not one developed arteriosclerosis.

So, paying attention to your thyroid as well as your heart itself is vital.

Ask your doctor to perform a full thyroid panel and support your thyroid with natural supplements including:

• Iodine – Iodine provides your thyroid the fuel it needs to create the critical T3 and T4 hormones. L-Tyrosine – This powerful amino acid partners with iodine to create the T3 and T4 hormones your body needs to help efficiently metabolize the calories you eat each day and maintain a healthy weight.
• Selenium – A naturally-occurring trace mineral, selenium helps convert the relatively inactive T4s to the active thyroid hormone T3.
• Zinc – Like selenium zinc is an essential mineral that helps convert the T4 hormone to the more active T3. It also releases vitamin A stored in the liver to help support a healthy thyroid.
• Copper –Another mineral, copper helps stimulate your thyroid and protect your body from too much thyroxine building up in your blood.
• Ashwagandha Root – A strong antioxidant, ashwagandha helps protect your thyroid, allowing it to function better and produce more T4.

So, if you want a healthy heart and a lower risk of heart disease, take a vacation this summer, eat right, get your exercise, don’t smoke and focus on your thyroid health. Because, when it comes to your heart, small steps add up to big gains.

Sources:

1. Heart Disease Facts — cdc.gov
2. Cardiovascular deaths on the rise in the US — Medical News Today
3. Increasing Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome Among U.S. Adults — Diabetes Care
4. High prevalence of metabolic syndrome found in U.S. — JAMA – Journal of the American Medical Association
5. Metabolic syndrome — Mayo Clinic
6. Medical proof a vacation is good for your heart — Syracuse University
7. 7 better-than-statin ways to lower heart disease risk — Easy Health Options®