Issue 2.15.19 Heart Attacks & The Water Component – Your Health Detective

Heart Attacks & The Water Component

Because inflammation is my top specialty, when I speak about ways to live inflammation-free most people don’t believe I’ll be addressing heart attacks; but inflammation plays a crucial role. They also believe I’ll mostly deal with which foods to eat, which to avoid, and some supplements or remedies to rid themselves of their inflammation and the ensuing pain…That…however, misses another vital aspect of not only helping avoid and reverse inflammation but of supporting overall detoxification to reduce inflammation and recapture your quality of life. That missing link is WATER, WATER…yes…WATER!

To further illustrate the importance of water, I’ll discuss a scenario most people can relate to…that is…not wanting to drink water either close to or at bedtime because they will have to get-up during the night to urinate. With that said, let me give you an example that I find most people never heard, not even some health professionals:…

We urinate at night because gravity holds water in the lower part of your body because when you’re upright, that’s why often our legs swell when sitting long periods of time as at a desk or in-mobility while traveling. When you lie down, the lower body (legs and feet specifically) seek a balanced level with your kidneys, because it is then that the kidneys can easier remove the water.

Most of us are aware that our body needs a minimum of water daily to flush out toxins, that said, most are not aware of other vital reasons for good hydration and knowing the best times to hydrate…let me enlighten you…

According to a top Cardiac Specialist…

Drinking water at a specific time frame maximizes its effectiveness on the body, some of the most important times include:

2 glasses of water AFTER waking up – helps activate internal organs
1 glass of water 30 minutes BEFORE a meal (NOT during a meal) – helps digestion
1 glass of water BEFORE taking a bath – helps lower blood pressure
1 glass of water BEFORE going to bed – avoids stroke or heart attack

In addition, a physician friend and colleague reminded me that water at bed time will also help prevent night time leg cramps…why water you’re probably asking?…because your leg muscles are seeking hydration when they cramp and wake you up with a Charlie-Horse.

I speak from personal experience that after relocating my Health Sciences and Cooking Institute high in the Andes Mountains, I experienced more leg cramps than ever in the states. That said, at high altitudes your body evaporates water faster and if hydration is not sufficient, whether you’re physically active or not, one of the manifestations of dehydration is leg cramps at night. Let’s not forget that a lack of proper balance of minerals and electrolytes is also very important but without proper hydration those cannot effectively work on their own to avoid cramps and other symptoms of deficiency.

Scientific Perspective…

Mayo Clinic Dr. Virend Somers, a Cardiologist who is lead author of the report in the July 29, 2008 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reported that most heart attacks occur in the day, generally between 6 A.M. and noon. Having a heart event during the night, when the heart should be most at rest, means that something unusual occurred…AND…research points to dehydration as one of the main causes. Somers and his colleagues have been working for a decade to show that sleep apnea is to blame for many heart attacks during that period, but aside from that, while I’m on the subject, I’m sharing with you what the research suggests to help if you do experience a heart event at night or what you even believe may be a heart event…

If you take an aspirin or a baby aspirin once a day, take it at night – I’m not advocating taking aspirin unless absolutely necessary, but this is important to know since millions are told to do so by their physicians.

The reasons:

Aspirin has a 24-hour “half-life”; therefore, if most heart attacks happen in the wee hours of the morning, the Aspirin would be strongest in your system if taken at bedtime.
An important bit of information is also that Aspirin lasts a very long time in your medicine cabinet, actually for years, however, when it gets old, it smells like vinegar so throw it out or use it to keep your fresh-cut flowers fresher longer.

Self-Help for a Heart Event:

Keep Aspirin ALWAYS on your bedside…AND…use a crystal or high-potency professional powdered form because it dissolves quickly on the tongue and gets into your system almost immediately. If all you have is aspirin tablets, dissolve two immediately in your mouth and then take a big drink of water…then…call 911 or someone close by that has access to your home.
Always keep at least a full glass of water on your beside for exactly the reasons mentioned previously.

AND NOW…as promised…a special offer for subscribers of Your Health Detective…IF you’re ready to learn about simple recipes that can give you what I call The Anti-Inflammation Advantage…read carefully. After many months in the making and as an added value to my subscribers, you can now Download your FREE 40+ page cookbook, The Anti-Inflammation Recipe Sampler at: drgloriaskitchen.com/healthdetective/

ADDITIONALLY…mark your calendar for April 2019 when we launch our cooking videos and I’ll be able to literally take you by the hand into Dr. Gloria’s Kitchen and lead you step-by-step through an entire library of anti-inflammatory meals that are easy to prepare and absolutely delicious! In addition, the educational information included will help you understand the why’s and how’s of specific foods, nutrients and ingredients known to “ignite inflammation”…that’s where my commitment of “Health thru Education™” comes in…it gives YOU the ADVANTAGE to take control of your health, Naturally…Stay tuned…