Your Heart Health Questions ANSWERED (Finally!)
The truth about your diet and exercise needs
If you’re an older adult — or if you’re obese — I’m willing to bet your mainstream doctor has already bombarded you with instructions to eat less and exercise more.
And it’s great advice.
Doing so can help protect your heart health by boosting the health of your arteries.
But this kind of advice leaves you with a lot of open-ended questions…
Like, what’s the ideal amount of exercise — or weight loss — to get the maximum benefits?
Researchers asked this question in a recent study, and they didn’t get the answer they expected.
Here are the surprising results…
This study included 160 obese, sedentary adults from 65-79 years old.
They were assigned to one of three groups for 20 weeks:
- Group 1: exercise only, regular diet
- Group 2: exercise plus moderate calorie restriction (cutting about 250 calories per day)
- Group 3: exercise plus intense calorie restriction (cutting about 600 calories per day)
The participants underwent MRIs to determine aortic arch pulse wave velocity (the speed at which blood travels through the aorta) and distensibility (the ability of the aorta to expand and contract).
Higher pulse wave velocity + lower distensibility = stiffer aortas.
And the winners were…
Group 2!
The exercise plus moderate calorie restriction group saw significant improvements in aortic stiffness—with about an 8 percent increase in PWV and a 21 percent increase in distensibility.
Both calorie restriction groups lost more weight, and they had greater changes in BMI, total fat mass, percent body fat, and waist circumference than the exercise-only group.
BUT only the moderate calorie restriction group saw improvements in aortic stiffness.
So, the next time you consider going on some crazy fad diet or drastic weight loss program, keep all of this in mind.
Because, while those types of programs may help you lose weight, they might not be great for your heart health.
Yes, exercise.
Yes, work toward a being a healthy weight.
But you don’t have to go crazy doing it.
As this study showed, cutting about 250 calories out of your diet per day brought about the best benefits for your waistline—and for your heart.
Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D. (rgerhauser)
P.S. You’ll want to check your pantry and see if you already have the best snack for your heart. Click here to learn about this secret, heart-happy food.
Written By Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.
For years he’s been the trusted doctor for celebrities, world-class athletes, and countless seniors looking to reclaim their health.
And now…for the first time ever… he’s making his medical breakthroughs available to readers all across America.
Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D. is one of the most pioneering and innovative minds in medicine today – and he delivers cutting-edge cures each month through his Natural Health Response newsletter.
Natural Health Response readers get full access to Dr. Gerhauser’s protocols for chronic pain… heart disease… diabetes… Alzheimer’s… and even cancer. These are the very same treatments Dr. Gerhauser recommends to his own patients at his practice in Tucson, Arizona.
In addition to being a board-certified medical doctor, Dr. Gerhauser has earned two master’s degrees and has served as a clinical professor at the University of Arizona.
And as a physician at the world-famous Canyon Ranch, Dr. Gerhauser treated celebrities from around the world who paid dearly for the type of next-generation health information he provides Natural Health Response readers each month.
View More Free Articles
“Spice Up” Your Gut Health
By now, you know that you’re only as healthy as your gut. In fact, the majority of your immune system is located in your gastrointestinal tract. The bacteria that live there support… heart health, brain health, skin health, digestion, nutrient absorption, healthy metabolism, and lower inflammation levels. So, how can you make sure you’re supporting […]
FDA Approves Questionable Diabetes Claim
You’ve likely heard the saying that food is the best medicine. I’ve found this true for maintaining well-being and healing (or improving) various diseases and conditions. The FDA is finally starting to come around to this mindset, so they’ve allowed food manufacturers to place a health claim on a particular popular food, stating it reduces […]
Two Common Vitamin Deficiencies Drive Up Cancer Risk
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. And it’s the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in men and women combined. They’re KILLERS… and reducing our risk for them should be a TOP priority. Extreme dieting or intense exercise […]
The Bedroom Secret to Healthy Blood Pressure
Believe it or not, nearly HALF of all Americans over 20 have high blood pressure. This is a BIG problem since hypertension is one of the top risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Mainstream medicine sees this as a GREAT excuse to push their hypertension drugs—and more than 60 million adults are taking them. […]
Heart Health Begins in Your BRAIN
There are plenty of reasons to add exercise to your regular routine. It naturally… boosts energy levels, improves sleep, aids with weight loss, strengthens bones, reduces blood pressure, improves brain health, reduces stress, and much more. Now, researchers have identified a unique way exercise can reduce heart-related risks—and it begins in your brain. In a […]
The HEALTHIEST Vegetables You Should Eat Daily
Did you know that the American Heart Association recommends eating five servings EACH of fruit and vegetables daily? I don’t know many people who can fit that amount of produce into their daily diet. If you do, great. If not, I have a list of the healthiest vegetables to provide the MOST bang for your […]
Boost Bone Strength WITHOUT Drugs
Have you been talked into getting a bone scan for osteoporosis yet? If you haven’t, it’s coming. But you won’t get that spiel from me. Too often, folks get these scans who don’t need them—and then doctors incorrectly interpret the results. This adds up to countless seniors who’ve been told they have osteoporosis when they […]
Target the TRUE Cause of Dry Eyes
Cases of dry eye syndrome are skyrocketing. Approximately 20 million folks in the USA alone battle the condition. And that number is rapidly growing among young and older adults alike. That means if you’re not already battling dry eyes—and you’re one of the thousands constantly reaching for artificial tears because your body isn’t producing enough […]
Take A STAND Against High Blood Pressure [EASY!]
Often, what you DON’T do is just as important as what you DO for your health. For example, not smoking, not eating processed food, and not exposing yourself to blue light at night will go a long way toward helping you live a longer, healthier life. The same is true for your blood pressure. Research […]
Fall Asleep FAST and Stay Asleep LONGER
If you’re dealing with a sleep problem, chances are good that you’re dealing with lifestyle problems. Insomnia is typically a telltale sign of circadian rhythm disruption (not enough morning sun, too much blue light from TV at night), stress, too much caffeine late in the day, long daytime naps, etc. You get the picture. But […]