Magnesium is an important mineral that is essential to good health. In addition to improving blood sugar regulation and bone health, magnesium also has an impact on the health of our hearts. It can even be called an essential nutrient for preventing heart attack deaths.

How Magnesium Benefits Heart Health

Magnesium prevents platelet clotting, dilates blood vessels and regulates heart rhythms. It can also inhibit spasms in the arteries of the heart, which block blood flow and could result in a heart attack. Magnesium also helps to keep blood pressure stable.

Magnesium Prevents Heart Attack Deaths

Researchers have concluded that intravenous magnesium can reduce the odds of heart attack death when given to heart attack patients immediately after the onset of a heart attack. The fact that magnesium is widely available, inexpensive and generally very safe makes it even more viable as a treatment for heart attack patients. Unfortunately, its benefits are often lost in the scramble to promote profitable pharmaceutical drugs. Are You Deficient in Magnesium? Unfortunately, many studies show that few people consume enough magnesium in their diets these days. Amino Acid Chelated Magnesium: Magnesium (as amino acid chelate),100mg.,25% of Daily Value, Serving Size: 1 Tablet. Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, adults take one tablet, four times daily with meals, or as directed by a health care professional. Store in a cool, dry place and away from direct light. Keep out of reach of children. Contains No Added sugar, salt, dairy, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, preservatives, artificial colors or flavors.$10

But how does one know if his or her levels of magnesium are too low? One indication of a low magnesium level is a low level of red blood cells. Depression, anxiety, muscle spasms and stomach problems are other indicators that a person might need to have his or her magnesium levels checked by a physician.

What can cause a magnesium deficiency? Prescription drugs such as antibiotics, antidepressants, or estrogen can lower magnesium levels. Too much vitamin D can cause the same result. Drinking too much alcohol or caffeine can cause the body to flush this valuable vitamin through their diuretic actions. Over consumption of monosodium glutamate (MSG) can also deplete the body of magnesium. Communities that have hard water, which contains magnesium, have shown decreases in ischemic heart disease among their residents, indicating that those who drink soft water might be more prone to magnesium deficiency.

Replenishing Magnesium Levels

What is the best way to rebuild a healthy level of magnesium? Supplements are one option, but natural foods are certainly the preferred method of getting more magnesium. Magnesium is found naturally in whole grains, brazil nuts, almonds, and leafy vegetables such as spinach. Chocolate is also a good source of magnesium (and magnesium deficiency may help explain why some people have intense cravings for chocolate).

Liquid trace minerals are an easy way to get more magnesium into your normal foods and beverages. Epsom salt baths are also highly effective for replenishing your magnesium levels. 

This article is particularly germane right now since we have just completed our "Fall Cleanse Event" and our Cleanse Graduates now know how doing what I will be discussing in this article will change their lives forever!

There are natural ways to unclog your arteries to prevent a heart attack or stroke...

Your arteries are the rivers within your body that continually transport essential nutrients and oxygen from your organs through your heart to the rest of your body.

A big part of staying healthy and also keeping your arteries clean and clear is related to your diet and what you eat. There's no joke in the popular saying: "You are what you eat." To take that a step further I tell every attendee of any of my "Focus Health Seminars" that more importantly "You are what you digest and absorb! If you don't digest properly or you cannot absorb the nutrients contained in any food that you eat, then you certainly won't benefit from any nutrients contained in the foods that you eat." It just makes sense that what you put in your body is what you will reflect in all aspects of your health.

If you eat a lot of processed foods laden with saturated fats, sugars, grain carbohydrates, chemicals and toxins, all of that inflammatory/toxic material is going to not only cause "inflammation" in your body, and specifically your arteries, but will also cling to and clog up those arteries over time. This in turn can eventually cause serious heart-related problems and other "challenging cardio-vascular complications". You also will run an increased risk of suffering a heart attack or devastating stroke.

It's been reported over and over that eating a cleaner diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables (preferably organic) can reduce the risk of heart disease and other life-threatening ailments including many forms of cancer. It will also help reduce the artery-clogging plaque that has most likely already built up in your arteries.

There's power in knowing that we have the choice to eat and consume healing healthy foods that can help keep us healthy and strong – especially when it comes to our heart health... we can assist in "cleaning" our arteries naturally with everyday simple foods.

Below is a list of some very special foods that can be particularly effective in keeping your arteries clean and reducing inflammation not only in your arteries but in the rest of your body as well – these are some of the best:

Garlic…
If you don't do anything else and want to really assist in reducing inflammation in your arteries naturally and limiting the potential for future plaque formation in your arteries –  eat garlic and eat it regularly… eat at least 1 to 4 cloves a day. You can eat garlic raw or cooked. Garlic adds a wonderful flavor to many different foods and it is very versatile in how it can be used. You can include garlic in your diet in many ways – in soups and casseroles, on salads mixed with healthy olive oil as a dressing, roasted along with fresh vegetables in the oven and more.

Garlic has a long history dating back to ancient times when it was used to treat a variety of heart-related issues and disorders including hypertension. Studies have shown that high doses of garlic (2,400 mg of deodorized garlic per day) significantly lowered both diastolic and systolic blood pressure.

Also, many studies have shown that eating garlic regularly can reduce harmful cholesterol by 10 percent or more. It may also prevent blood clots from forming.

Now I know what most of you are thinking right now: "There is no way I can get away with eating garlic! My spouse, coworkers, friends, and anyone else that I encounter will avoid me like the plague." Well, just keep reading because there are methods to avoid that problem.

Eating 1 – 4 cloves a day is estimated to provide 4,000 mcg of allicin, one of garlic's most beneficial compounds. If you prefer to take a garlic supplement instead of eating raw garlic because of the strong smell, look for one with the active ingredient "alliin", because this substance is relatively odorless until it is converted into allicin in the body.

Cherries… This tiny delicious fruit contains over 17 compounds to clear away arteries clogged with plaque even better than vitamin supplements. These compounds are found in the anthocyanins that give cherries their red color. Cherries can hold more antioxidant power than many vitamin C and E supplements. It is also a whole food, and therefore you will better absorb all the wonderful nutrients including the beneficial fiber which helps to lower cholesterol. Focus Healthtm Seminar Series Session II "Eating Right and Cholesterol" In this DVD Dr. Pfeiffer will discuss how your lifestyle choices affect your overall Health and Wellness and "Eating Right" Our Seminar Series DVDs are $24.95 Plus $3.95 Shipping for a total of $28.90.        Click the video to preview the first    two minutes

Strawberries…
A perfect "prepackaged" food to toss into your "plain yogurt" for breakfast (check out our "Yogurt Recipe"). Strawberries are also loaded with antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, ellagic acid, assorted carotenoids and anthocyanins.

These substances have been shown to cut cholesterol levels by 10 percent. Try to buy organic strawberries as the non-organic types tend to be heavily sprayed with pesticides.

Apples and Grapefruit...
Both of these fruits contain pectin, a soluble fiber that lowers cholesterol. It has been shown in animal studies that pectin will slow down the progression of atherosclerosis and the clogging of arteries.

Apples are a rich source of "Quercetin", which is a plant based (phyto-nutrient) antioxidant which has been shown not only to reduce inflammation in the body but also has demonstrated a potential to reduce allergies as well. Apples are also a source of potassium and magnesium. These are minerals that assist in keeping your blood pressure under control. A French study found that eating two apples a day can help prevent and reverse "hardening" of the arteries. Red Delicious and Granny Smith varieties are also rich in "proanthocyanidins", which are strong anti-oxidants.

Sweet Potatoes…
Full of cholesterol-lowering fiber, potassium, beta carotene, folate and vitamin C, Sweet Potatoes help to lower your blood pressure and keep your arteries clear.

Green Tea…
Drinking just one cup a day will give you an antioxidant boost. The flavinoids in green tea are known as "polyphenols" – which are powerful antioxidants.

Healthy green tea also contains "proanthocyanidins", which help prevent blood clots forming and promote healthy "endothelium" - the tissues that line your blood vessels and heart.

Remember I recommend that you use an organic "flavored" green tea. You see plain green tea tastes kind of like you have just soaked some cardboard in hot water. I therefore recommend to all of my patients that you drink flavored green tea. Try some mint, or jasmine flavored.

Hawthorn Tea…
The extract from the hawthorn berries can calm palpitations, help restore blood vessel elasticity, ease fluid build-up in the heart, stop fatty degeneration of the heart, help dilate coronary arteries and also reduce blood pressure.
Hawthorne can be used by those already on cardiac medication and may help you decrease your dosage under your health care provider's supervision.

Buy a bag of organically-grown hawthorn berries at a natural food store and steep them in hot water as a tea to help your heart stay healthy. Hawthorn has not been shown to have any adverse side effects.

Olive Oil...
Omega-3 fatty acids fight inflammation by countering the inflammatory effects of omega-6, another type of fatty acid. Most people eat diets overloaded with omega-6 fats which are found in vegetable oils such as soybean or corn oil which are derived from grains.

Olive oil is on the list of "good" oils and a "monounsaturated" fat. Using a "cold-pressed" organic olive oil as your main source of dietary oil may assist in reducing your risk of coronary heart disease.

Studies have shown that particles of LDL cholesterol that contain monounsaturated fats (found in olive oil) are less likely to become oxidized. This is important because only oxidized cholesterol is able to stick to your artery walls and form plaques.

Also, avocados and nuts, especially almonds, are other good sources monounsaturated fat that helps to keep your arteries clean.

But just remember, fat is still fattening – so, go easy to not eat too much. A good strategy is to avoid the foods that are high in not only fats but also sugars like the 4-C's which are candies, cakes, cookies and ice-cream. You should also go easy on the red meats, and the salt-laden cheeses. You can replace them with the healthier unsaturated fats, and low glycemic fruits like the strawberries that we just discussed as well as blueberries, raspberries, cantaloupe and honeydew melons.

Salmon…
Fish, especially fatty cold water fish like salmon, herring and tuna are some of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids. If you missed my Omega 3 seminar watch for it on You Tube. The American Heart Association recommends including two fatty-fish meals a week in your diet.

Wild salmon, in addition to tasting great is really rich in the Omega-3 fats, which reduce the likelihood a clot will form within your arteries, and thus preventing cholesterol from becoming damaged or oxidized. (Farm raised salmon is not as desirable since it is contains antibiotics and far less Omega-3's).

A nice combination for dinner is to include salmon and spinach – which will give you plenty of omega-3 fats, vitamin C and vitamin A, which are all very good for your arteries.

Note: It's recommended to limit your consumption of tuna and halibut as they are known to contain mercury and PCB's. This is another reason that "deep-water" wild caught fish like salmon is definitely better.

Spinach…
Spinach is a wonderful source of vitamins C and A which help prevent cholesterol from becoming "oxidized" which in turn will help to prevent clogging plaque from building up in your arteries. Spinach is also a good source of other phytonutrients including iron.

Swiss Chard…
This leafy-green alternative is an excellent source of vitamin E, another antioxidant which helps prevent free radicals from oxidizing cholesterol. Eating a diet rich in vitamin E has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of developing arterial plaques.

Tomatoes…
Tomatoes are rich in a carotenoid known as lycopene, an antioxidant that can significantly lower your risk of atherosclerosis. Tomato juice, tomato soup and ketchup (low sodium and low sugar forms- including no high fructose corn syrup) and tomato paste give you a more-concentrated source of lycopene than fresh tomatoes.
Also, antioxidant-rich tomatoes may make LDL cholesterol much less susceptible to becoming oxidized and being more susceptible to plaque formation which is a major risk factor for heart disease.

Garbanzo Beans…
All beans contain both important soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. Garbanzo beans however are one of the best sources of fiber in the "bean family". This fiber helps to remove cholesterol-containing bile from your body.

So, happy eating to all our Silver Inner Health Circle members! As time goes by, I will add to this list so I invite you to visit again soon... I wish you all success as your travel down the road toward Health and Wellness!