Heart Health Reset: Why Wellness Is More Than Diet, Exercise, or Medication
- Heart to Soul Cardiac Wellness
- Sep 1
- 7 min read
As we wrap up the closing of summer this August, let’s take a moment to check in. Where are you in your wellness path? How is your body feeling? Do you have energy? Is your physique where you want it to be? How are your lab values? What is missing? Why haven’t you been able to achieve it? Would you like to schedule a “Tune-up” to check labs, discuss progress and revise your current plan for more improvement? Let’s talk! Book time with me here: www.speakwithmary.com
Many people get stuck-they know they should “do the right things” like “diet and exercise” however, if you are in my Heart Health Accelerator Holistic Cardiac Wellness Program, www.hearttosoulcw.com you know that wellness is far more than that. You understand how to use accessible holistic healing modalities in your everyday life, that when stacked up over time weekly, these daily habits have far reaching positive impacts and benefits. Like a pilot who makes a one degree change in his flight plan, which takes him from landing in DC, to landing in NYC. Your health can change like this, too by stacking up new habits consistently!
Remember, cholesterol is not the bad guy. We have been sold a bill of goods, making statins the most prescribed drug in the country, in part because the goalpost keeps getting moved, from your high (necessitating a prescription) from 300, to 250 to 200, to now there is talk of the total being 100 to necessitate a prescription. In the meantime, people struggle with muscle pain and cramps, interference with vitamin D and the immune system, hormone interference, loss of protection from cancer, and diabetes, all while depriving the brain of cholesterol, which it is made of! Were you aware that dementia and Alzheimer’s skyrocketed with the use of statins? And that they tried to launch an Alzheimer’s drug? (which was proven to have no efficacy) -but you can see how the problem is created, then the solution is offered. Take a statin. Get Alzheimer’s. Take a pill for Alzheimer’s. This is how the pharma system works. 15-minute doctor appointments for lifelong prescriptions, and then more prescriptions for the “side effects” which are really the body crying out as a response to the toxic drug.
Your body is not deficient in statins or any medications; it needs holistic care for healing, and a guide such as myself to show you the way to do it! I would like to ask you to help me to save lives. Please forward this newsletter to 3 people today, who could benefit from this content, and who need help in achieving wellness. Because medications are not curing anyone, or else you wouldn’t need a refill! ;) If you received this from your friend, please subscribe to the newsletter here for monthly cardiac news you can use:
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Clinical Perspective-Takotsbubo Cardiomyopathy
What Is New from the AHA
Using large database, we found that majority of patients with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (83%) are women with no improvement in mortality of 6.5% over the years as a new finding.
Mortality was more than double in men in comparison to women (11.2% versus 5.5%) with persistent high complications rate of patients with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy such as cardiogenic shock, atrial fibrillation, cardiac arrest, stroke, and congestive heart failure are common complications.
What Are the Clinical Implications?
Clinicians need to improve care of these patients to reduce mortality and study the reason for sex differences in outcome.
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a reversible left ventricle dysfunction and is triggered by emotional stress, predominantly in women, or physical stress, predominantly in men.1, 2 This condition is known to be associated with sex and race disparities and can lead to significant in‐hospital mortality and morbidity.3, 4 Despite the recovery in a later time, little is known about the course and compilations of this condition over the recent years. The goal of this study was to use the largest database available to determine the incidence of TC and associated cardiovascular complications through the years 2016 to 2020 using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS).
WHAT YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT OZEMPIC
Weight watcher’s company is gone! Why? Because it is easier to take an injection than make lifestyle and nutrition changes. But this “easy” way to get rid of weight comes at what cost?
Long-term use of Ozempic (semaglutide) can lead to several side effects, some of which are serious. These include gastroparesis (stomach paralysis), potential thyroid tumors, pancreatitis, and worsening of pre-existing eye conditions like diabetic retinopathy. Gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea are also common, and in rare cases, individuals have reported kidney damage.
Potential Long-Term Side Effects:
Gastroparesis (Stomach Paralysis): This condition, where the stomach empties food too slowly, can cause nausea, vomiting, bloating, and dehydration. Some people have even had to go on intravenous feeds due to their stomach becoming completely paralyzed.
Thyroid Tumors: While the risk is primarily identified in animal studies, Ozempic has been associated with an increased risk of thyroid tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Individuals with a personal or family history of MTC or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) should exercise caution.
Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas, which can be serious and potentially lead to pancreatic cancer.
Worsening of Diabetic Retinopathy: Individuals with diabetes may experience a worsening of diabetic eye complications.
Gastrointestinal Issues: Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea.
Kidney Damage: Dehydration from side effects like vomiting and diarrhea can contribute to kidney injury.
Gallbladder Problems: Prolonged use may increase the risk of gallstones or gallbladder disease.
Vision Loss: Ozempic has been linked to vision loss or other eye problems.
Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar can occur, especially when used with other diabetes medications.
Intestinal Blockage: Ozempic may cause intestinal blockage.
Muscle wasting in addition to fat loss.
Important Consideration:
Individuals with pre-existing heart conditions should discuss the potential risks of Ozempic with their healthcare provider
OUR CHILDREN’S HEALTH IS AT RISK FOR CARDIAC DISEASE
Every parent feeding their child “diet” drinks and sugar-free snacks, thinking they'[re making healthier choices, just got blindsided by devasting news from Taiwan's largest puberty study.
Dr. Yang-Ching Chen and his research team at Taipei Medical University have delivered results taht should upset every parent: artificial sweetners are hijacking children's sexual development
Diet drinks and sweeteners force children into early puberty: click here to read full article.
Why does LDL Cholesterol increase in Menopause Years?
ARTICLE BY DR. LINDA MARQUEZ GOODINE
As women transition through perimenopause, menopause and into post menopause, it's common to see changes in cholesterol levels—especially an increase in LDL cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol. This shift isn’t just about aging. There is a hormone connection……..estrogen!!
What's Happening in the Body?
Estrogen Protects Your Heart: Estrogen helps your liver clear LDL cholesterol from the blood. When estrogen declines during menopause, the liver becomes less efficient, and LDL builds up.
Fat Shifts to the Belly: Hormonal changes increase visceral (belly) fat, which contributes to insulin resistance and higher cholesterol and triglycerides.
More Small, Dense LDL Particles: These particles are more damaging to arteries and more common after menopause.
Overall Heart Risk Increases: In addition to higher LDL, HDL ("good" cholesterol) may drop, and triglycerides may rise—raising heart disease risk.
LDL Cholesterol Is Not Always Bad: LDL has been villainized but did you know that LDL can increase when you increase healthy fat intake or even when you have inflammation in the body? The goal would be to look for the inflammation.
Look To The Thyroid: Cholesterol levels often rise with a low functioning thyroid and is often overlooked especially if only TSH and Free T4 lab markers are checked.
Natural Ways to Support Healthy Cholesterol During Menopause
These lifestyle strategies can make a big difference in keeping you healthy without immediately turning to medications:
1. Food as Medicine
Fiber-Rich Foods: Oats, flaxseeds, chia, legumes, fruits, and veggies help sweep LDL from the body.
Healthy Fats: Use olive oil, avocado, nuts, and fatty fish (like salmon) to raise HDL and lower LDL.
Green Tea: Contains antioxidants that may support healthy lipid levels.
Dark Chocolate: Rich in flavonoids (in moderation!).
2. Key Supplements (Talk with your provider first)
Omega-3 Fatty Acids (from fish oil or algae): Help reduce LDL and triglycerides.
Red Yeast Rice: A natural statin-like compound (best used under supervision).
Berberine: Supports lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
Plant Sterols/Stanols: Block cholesterol absorption in the gut.
3. Movement Matters
Prioritize strength training - I am not talking about the pink weights, or boot camps that use dumb bells and bands, but weight that makes you say oh SH”T, this is heavy I probably can crank out 4 reps with good form. If you never lifted weights, hire a trainer for a few weeks to get comfortable with weight training and executing good form to minimize injuries (try the grounds app for your personal trainer, if you can’t find one locally).
Cardio - Aim for 150 minutes/week of exercise that includes a couple of sessions of sprint interval training (usually only about 5-10 minutes), a couple of sessions of high intensity interval training (20 minutes), jump box training or other plyometrics training (5-10 minutes) and outdoor walking.
Include stress-reducing activities like yoga, tai chi, or Pilates.
4. Stress & Sleep
Chronic stress and poor sleep increase cortisol, which can elevate LDL.
Prioritize 7–8 hours of sleep and find calming routines to unwind (journaling, deep breathing, screen-free evenings).
5. Hormone Balance
In some cases, bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT) or herbal hormone support (like black cohosh or maca) may help. Work with a qualified practitioner to explore this safely.
Final Thoughts
Menopause brings natural changes, but high cholesterol doesn't have to be one of them. With the right nutrition, movement, and lifestyle support, you can stay heart-healthy and vibrant through this next phase of life.
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