Comments on: A Fit Heart - Part 2

By: Will

Will — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:31:53 +0000

Thanks Linda! The idea of the mind affecting our health is something that is difficult for many people to comprehend. Another issue is stress. For many of us, anxiety, stress, and unhappiness can literally kill. Others seem to be able to live through that with no ill effects. Maybe our genetics determines how our bodies hold up to those assaults.

Another issue is the idea of visualizing or imagining something you want to happen in your life. Many people easily accept and believe in the idea. Others, like me, have a more difficult time no matter how much we want to believe it works. Perhaps our biological makeup causes some of us to be able to accept the idea, while others need more “proof” or something?

By: Linda Prout

Linda Prout — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:53:48 +0000

Hi Will:
I hope your father is recovering after his surgery. That’s big.

The runner/fitness expert you were wondering about was Jim Fixx, who died at age 52 from a massive heart attack after a run. People don’t realize over-exercise ages us just as under-exercising.

As far as genetics goes, check out the work of Bruce Lipton (The Biology of Belief). He says our genes are controlled by our minds and that it is our beliefs that lead to disease or early demise. Our beliefs impact our genes. He has conducted many experiments to show this. I have also observed this over and over in my practice and now work with beliefs along with nutrition with my clients.

I my experience, often a “genetic” issue also turns out to be a higher need for a heart-protective or cancer-fighting nutrient or some other dietary factor. Everyone assumes when a disease “runs in the family” it is a gene coding for a disease. It can be a simple need for more magnesium or co-enzyme Q 10 or more omega-3 fat. We each have our own unique biochemistry and if you aren’t getting the right amount of a nutrient to meet YOUR needs, you can easily suffer disease. Drug companies don’t make much money figuring out the missing nutrient, unfortunately.

After seeing thousands of clients in my career, I believe attitude and nutrition have a more significant impact on health than genes, no matter what the “genetic” picture.

Unfortunately many doctors have no idea what a healthy diet is so they look at the government’s idea of healthy and when they see disease associated with the usual low-fat paradigm, they say, “See diet doesn’t help.” Of course it doesn’t help. Low-fat, low cholesterol recommendations were fabricated by politicians, not scientists.

Perhaps we need to re-consider what is healthy exercise and nutritious diet. And, take a look at what we believe.

Linda

By: Will

Will — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 01:36:34 +0000

You’re right, of course. I just wish regular exercise was easier for me. I can hike, or play hockey with others, but I am just terrible at solitary exercise. My wife is unbelievable in that she can exercise every single morning, pretty much never missing a day. So I have a good example right in front of me, just can’t seem to do it myself. Don’t know why. Maybe that is genetics or heredity also. I bet if I had a job a mile from my house, I would walk to work and back every day.

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:44:20 +0000

Better safe then sorry, I can see how heredity plays a major roll, but exercise and eating properly just make a guy feel better.

By: Jennifer Robin

Jennifer Robin — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:11:48 +0000

I guess it all comes down to common sense, especially since the medical community can’t make up their minds. I too find diet and physical activity to be key factors in a healthy lifestyle.