You don’t have to tell us twice.
Heart disease is a common killer in adults. Thankfully, the amount of deaths has significantly dropped since the 2007 smoking ban was introduced but there are still worrying numbers of people losing their life to the illness every year.
It’s never too early to start looking after your heart, no matter what age you are. That’s the advice given by Johannes Hinrich von Borstel, a prospective cardiologist and author of a new book Heart: The Inside Story of Our Body’s Most Important Organ.
According to The Telegraph, he said, “Atherosclerosis (the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries) is the only disease that everyone in the world has from the age of 50. One hundred per cent of people have it. It is something you cannot completely stop, but you can influence how fast it develops.”
After doing some research and case studies he’s come up with some recommendations to keep your heart beating healthily. According to him, sex is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy heart, “As well as an entire cardiac workout, before and during intercourse there is a big release of hormones that have a protective effect on our cardiovascular system.”
He says it’s better with someone you know rather than someone random because genuine affection causes the release of higher levels of oxytocin.
Another thing you can do is to eat more garlic. He says, “Vegetables and fruits have secondary phytochemicals that have the same effect as different [heart protective] medications but not in a dose that is dangerous for your body, ” with ginger, onion and garlic being the main ones to focus on because they act as blood thinners which aid blood flow.
Sleep is also something to be mindful of. You don’t need excessive amounts with Johannes suggesting we stick to just seven hours, “Sleeping too much and too little can be harmful to our health. Seven is the perfect number for most adults.”
So, in brief, have more sex, get less sleep and eat more garlic.
Sounds good to us.
