Chronic stress and high levels of calcium lower both testosterone levels and thyroid function. This results in increased stress on the arteries which in turn cause cracks.

When nutrient excesses and deficiencies occur blood calcium levels remain too high for too long. Dairy is one of the top food allergens. It often causes inflammation throughout the entire body. High carb consumption is what causes LDL cholesterol to oxidize and turn brown. All cholesterol is good, but it is when LDL cholesterol is oxidized that we should be concerned. A high carb diet also leaches real vitamins and minerals from the body. The lack of nutrients cause imbalances in the body and as a result of these imbalances over time, plaque (a mixture oxidized LDL cholesterol and calcium) builds up and the arteries become calcified.

Elevated cortisol (a hormone excreted in response to stress) and low testosterone cause damage to the endothelial wall of the arteries requiring these plaque ‘patches’. The excess calcium and brown/oxidized LDL cholesterol are laid down over fissures in the arteries. This is ingenious actually, as the body places an especially formulated ‘internal’ Band-Aid so-to-speak, over arterial cracks. If the nutritional deficiencies are then addressed the body would have enough resources to fix the artery and the calcifications would then dissolve and be removed as body waste.

Calcifications are even being found in athletes! We think of these folks as being extremely healthy, however, to the body, intense workouts are perceived as chronic stress. Simply stated,

“Elevated Adrenalin combined with nutritional deficiencies cause calcifications in the arteries.”

–High Calcium Score in Athlete & Heart Disease by Russ Scala

What a powerful statement! Nutrition, especially nutrition specific to disease states is not commonly practiced in allopathic medicine. New arteries can actually form around the heart restoring a person’s vitality. Yet this is not practiced as a part of the “Standard of Care”. Perhaps what we call “health-care” might be more accurately described as “disease management.”

So if one is wanting to take better care of their heart and circulatory system where might one start?

First, get rid of that stress. There is no other way around it. I had a client tell me once that their life was very stressful but she had become “used to it”. A lot of us like think that way, but need to realize that the part of our body that responds to stress doesn’t think rationally. Stress provokes a response from the limbic part of the brain. This is not where one reasons, but where “fight or flight” occurs. Stress – whether from emotional turmoil in family or relationships, job stress, financial problems, or even a broken-heart, engages the limbic brain and causes a very chemical reaction in the body. These chemical reactions use up nutritional resources. Elevated cortisol/lowered testosterone also causes constriction and dilation of the arteries. The benefit of proper testosterone levels is that it keeps the arteries dilated. Don’t most of us know that when we are stressed some of the first things we set aside in the tyranny of the urgent are getting proper sleep and making healthy food choices?

Additionally, as people who have chronic stress we need to learn to think differently. It’s called a paradigm change. When our paradigm changes we practice carving out time for ourselves just to ‘be’ and relax. Prayer, quiet time, resting, taking a walk, playing with a pet, and things like these all help to create space in our daily lives for refreshing and restoration.

Next we need to consider nutrition. It is important to thoughtfully take in pure water and foods that are high in nutrition. We know that even organic foods are not always grown in nutrient dense soil. This means it is vital to include whole food-derived supplements in our diets. Also, avoid white sugar, artificial sweeteners, dairy, grains, prepared (boxed) foods, and eating at restaurants.

These suggestions are a wise place to start. Take them one step at a time and once you have mastered one of them, take on the next one. Soon you will be living and eating much healthier and your body will thank you by feeling more energetic and pain free.

If you desire a personalized consult for this or other health-related issues, please feel free to schedule an initial consult or a free 15-minute Discovery Session HERE.

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The Herbs & The Bees, LLC, or its staff do not diagnose or prescribe. Our purpose is to provide information, products and suggested wellness programs to those who will share responsibility for their personal well-being. Our services are not a substitute for medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, please consult a licensed physician.