Hi there! Yesterday we talked about how good fats can help lower both high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
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Today, let's dive into the effects of glucose consumption on high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Many people don't realise that their diet is high in sugar, whether it's from sweet treats and snacks or high glucose foods like starchy carbohydrates such as pasta, bread and pastries etc.

When you consume these foods, your body is flooded with glucose, and as it's dangerous for the blood to be too high in glucose, after a complex process of storing some of the glucose away in the liver and muscles as glycogen, what`s left gets changed into triglycerides, a type of "bad" fat that cloggs up arteries and is stored around the organs.

Excess glucose becomes triglycerides

Now, here's the problem: having too high triglycerides can have a negative impact on heart health, leading to high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It also puts pressure on the organs that it is stored around.   So, having a high glucose diet is a problem for heart health.

If you've been diagnosed with hypertension or high cholesterol, it's essential to reduce your glucose and fructose intake. This means avoiding sugary drinks, sweet treats and snacks, too many starchy carbohydrates and processed foods.  Instead choose low glycaemic index foods like whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and lean protein sources.

Here's the thing, though. A lot of people don't realise they have high glucose levels or high triglycerides. That's where my happy heart health check comes in handy!

The happy heart health check tests cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, liver function, inflammation, B12, Folate, vitamin D, and Iron levels. These tests are useful in supporting heart health as they can detect any underlying health issues and provide insight into your overall health.

Why low nutrient levels affect your cardiovascular system

It`s important to know your nutrient levels as low levels of vitamin D, folate, B12, and iron can affect cardiovascular health.

First, let's talk about vitamin D.
Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with an increased risk of hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. Vitamin D helps regulate the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which plays a role in blood pressure regulation. Additionally, vitamin D deficiency can lead to increased inflammation, which is a risk factor for heart disease.

Next up is folate, which is a type of B vitamin. Folate is involved in DNA synthesis, and it helps to lower levels of homocysteine in the blood. High levels of homocysteine have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Low levels of folate can lead to high homocysteine levels, and this can be a risk factor for heart disease.

Moving on to B12.   B12 is important for red blood cell production, and it also plays a role in the synthesis of DNA. Low levels of B12 can lead to anaemia, which means there aren't enough red blood cells in the body to carry oxygen to the organs. This can put a strain on the heart, as it has to work harder to pump blood around the body.

Finally, iron is another essential nutrient for heart health. Iron is a component of haemoglobin, which is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Low iron levels can lead to anaemia, which, as I mentioned before, means there aren't enough red blood cells in the body to carry oxygen. This can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain, all of which can put a strain on the heart.

If you're concerned about your nutrient levels, it's a good idea to get a blood test to check your levels and take steps to improve your intake if needed.

Why is a liver function test included?

The liver metabolises fats, and if it's not working optimally, cholesterol can build up. It also deals with glucose, which can affect blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

That's why the health check includes a one-to-one session with myself, I will assess your test results and you'll be guided and supported with advice and supplement recommendations to address any low nutrient levels or anything else that shows up.
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In summary, a high glucose diet can be detrimental to your heart health. To reduce your risk of hypertension and high cholesterol, it's crucial to reduce your glucose and fructose intake. And don't forget, book your happy heart health check to ensure your heart is healthy and happy!
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Morning everybody. 
If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure or high cholesterol, you might feel quite unnerved by that and be wondering if there`s anything you can do to help yourself.  This topic is a large one that I`m going to break down over different posts, but the first thing I wanted to address was the balance of Good and bad fats.

Most people immediately start to reign in their fat content in their diets when getting a diagnosis like this, but it`s important to know that “good fats” will actually help to lower your cholesterol and should actually be increased.
 
Good fats to lower cholesterol
 
So, first, it's important to understand that there are two main types of cholesterol in your body: HDL, or "good" cholesterol, and LDL, or "bad" cholesterol. HDL cholesterol actually helps to remove LDL cholesterol from your bloodstream and therefor lower your blood pressure, so it's important to have high levels of HDL cholesterol.
  
Now, here's where good fats come in. Unsaturated fats, which are found in foods like nuts, seeds, avocados, and fatty fish, have been shown to increase levels of HDL cholesterol in the body. This is because when you eat unsaturated fats, they can actually replace some of the saturated and trans fats in your diet, which can increase your levels of LDL cholesterol.

Unsaturated fats can also help to lower your levels of triglycerides which can contribute to the development of high cholesterol. When you have high levels of triglycerides in your bloodstream, your liver produces more LDL cholesterol, which can build up in your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease. By lowering your levels of triglycerides, unsaturated fats can help to reduce your overall risk of high cholesterol and heart disease.
 
Good fats to lower high blood pressure

Diets that are high in unsaturated fats have been shown to help reduce blood pressure levels in people with hypertension.
One way that unsaturated fats can help lower blood pressure is by improving the function of your blood vessels. When you consume unsaturated fats, they can help your blood vessels to dilate, or widen, which can improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure. Additionally, unsaturated fats can help to reduce inflammation in the body, which can also contribute to lower blood pressure levels.
 
Bad fats

Bad fats, also known as saturated and trans fats, can contribute to high cholesterol and high blood pressure, which are both risk factors for heart disease.

Let me explain how...

Saturated fats are found in foods like butter, cheese, red meat, and full-fat dairy products. When you eat too much saturated fat, it can raise your levels of LDL cholesterol, which is the "bad" cholesterol that can build up in your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease.
Saturated fat can also contribute to high blood pressure, as it can cause your blood vessels to become stiff and narrow, which makes it harder for your heart to pump blood through your body.
Trans fats are found in processed foods like fried foods, baked goods, and snack foods.
They're often listed on ingredient labels as "partially hydrogenated oils."

Like saturated fats, trans fats can increase your levels of LDL cholesterol and contribute to high blood pressure. They can also decrease your levels of HDL cholesterol, which is the "good" cholesterol that helps to remove LDL cholesterol from your bloodstream.

When you consume a diet that's high in bad fats, it can lead to the build up of fatty plaques in your arteries. These plaques can cause your blood vessels to become narrower and stiffer, which makes it harder for blood to flow through them. As a result, your heart has to work harder to pump blood through your body, which can lead to an increase in blood pressure.

Additionally, bad fats can contribute to inflammation in the body, which can also contribute to high blood pressure. When you consume too many saturated and trans fats, it can cause your body to produce more inflammatory chemicals, which can damage the walls of your blood vessels and increase your risk of hypertension.
 
To sum up

Good fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, can be beneficial for lowering high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
These healthy fats can help to improve the function of blood vessels and reduce inflammation in the body, which can contribute to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
To incorporate more healthy fats into your diet, choose foods like fatty fish, nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil, and flaxseed.
At the same time, it's important to limit your intake of bad fats, like saturated and trans fats, which can contribute to high blood pressure and cholesterol.
​By making simple dietary changes and being mindful of your fat intake, you can help reduce your risk of heart disease and protect your overall health.