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The heart of the matter: You may not be as healthy as you think

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The author. Courtesy photo.

By Lauren Antrosiglio

They’re the healthiest people you’ll ever meet. You know them: They eat fairly healthy; they don’t drink too much; they don’t do drugs or smoke. They went organic before it was cool.
Maybe you’re one of these people — and hats off to you. It’s hard work being healthy. However, “healthy” people need to worry just as much about heart health as obese people or those with a family history of heart issues. There are a few things you may be doing in the name of health that very well could be setting you up for heart issues.

Excessive cardiovascular activity

In the past decade, researchers have discovered a link between serious heart problems and excessive cardiovascular activity. Studies published in European Heart Journal and Journal of Applied Physiology found that the runners and cyclists involved in the studies all suffered damage to the right ventricle of their hearts after completing a marathon. The damage was reversed in most of the athletes soon after, but about a quarter of the subjects (mostly men over 40) showed permanent damage and fibrosis (scarring that can lead to heart failure). Researchers theorized that career runners and cyclists have a greater likelihood of damaging their hearts the longer they continue excessive training. This doesn’t mean that cardiovascular exercise is unhealthy, but that much cardio just isn’t as healthy as you think.

L-Carnitine supplements

This is a medicine cabinet staple for a lot of bodybuilders. L-Carnitine is an amino acid found in high amounts in red meat, but it’s also sold as a supplement. It’s often used as part of a muscle-building program, and, until recently, it was considered to be good for your heart. In the past few years, however, scientists have discovered that it’s the L-Carnitine in red meat that causes heart damage, not the saturated fat. When ingested, it combines with gut bacteria to create Trimethylamine-N-oxide, which is a compound that has been shown to lead to atherosclerosis (clogged arteries, which lead to heart attacks). As a trainer, I used L-Carnitine for a stretch and wasn’t sure whether to believe the research. After a while, though, I began getting tightness and aching in my chest over my heart. I stopped taking L-Carnitine and the symptoms vanished. Coincidence? Not sure. Either way, I don’t recommend supplementation.

The Reservatrol dream

“Drinking is good for me! One glass a day! I’m healthier than non-drinkers — it says so online!” Ah, wishful thinking. Alcohol and even cigarette companies have been funding research and releasing clever commercials to convince us that our vices were actually healthy since the early 20th century. There were even cigarette ads that claimed “More doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette!” Phillip Morris, you sly dog you. Although previous studies have suggested that one drink a day might be good for you, recent studies have contradicted that. Research compiling data from over 250,000 subjects in 55 studies shows that drinking even one drink or glass of wine a day increases the risk of coronary heart disease and high blood pressure. Yes, even if doctors do it.

Testosterone supplementation

Ask a male bodybuilder how to “get big.” They’ll probably say “Like Schwarzenegger big? Testosterone.”
Maybe, but a recent study at the University of Texas’ Southwestern Medical Center found that men who supplement with testosterone had a 30 percent higher risk of getting heart disease than men who didn’t supplement.

Biking to work
What?! Yes, unfortunately biking to work in urban areas is a health risk. It isn’t the biking that’s the problem — it’s the pollution. Bicyclists who live in areas with cleaner air need not worry, but those of you who live in areas with medium to high levels of air pollution are at risk. Avoid biking in heavy traffic and take a less-busy route to work.

‘The Biggest Loser’ copycat

A lot of people are inspired daily by “The Biggest Loser.” Morbidly obese people are put on extremely stringent diets, forced to do workouts until they pass out, and then have their weight put on national television. (Actually, I used to be obese, and this sounds like a play-by-play of my worst nightmare.) What the producers of the show aren’t taking into account is that morbidly obese people are at an extremely high risk for fatal heart attacks, and long bouts of high intensity exercise designed for people with a much higher fitness level is going to tax their hearts, big time. Obese and morbidly obese people must start out slow, and by slow I mean ssslllooowww.

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Lauren Antrosiglio is an ASU-degreed personal trainer in Prescott who specializes in weight loss, increasing muscle mass, rehabilitative fitness, functional exercise, and senior fitness. Contact her at Info@PrescottPersonalTraining.Com.


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