In this episode I share the tips and tricks I learned on having congestive heart failure and rebuilding myself cell by cell to a healthier heart…and it's not what most doctors tell you. I learned the hard way from the school of hard knocks and finding the right doctor. Check with your doctor on your particular condition, I am only sharing my story, this information is for educational purposes only and not to be construed as medical advice.
Episode #004 - Broken Heart
Today I discuss the things I did after my heart was broken when our son took his life in 2011 on his 23rd birthday. The stress of this loss was the beginning of a health slide like dominoes for me. I wouldn’t have learned and opened my eyes if I hadn’t gone through this storm. What I learned is what the doctors don’t tell you and I found out the hard way. I want to spare others from any unneccesary suffering.
Ejection Fraction (EF) - mine was down to 16% before I changed my lifestyle, diet and adopted some new practices recommended in Dr. Kahn’s book. I discuss these in the episode.
Ejection fraction in a healthy heart is 50% to 70%. With each heartbeat, 50% to 70% of the blood in your left ventricle gets pumped out to your body. — according to the Cleveland Clinic
MTHFR - an indicator of a possible mutation of this gene is high homocysteine which is how and why I was tested by my integrative cardiologist
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is an enzyme that works as a catalyst for important biochemical reactions in your body. It converts vitamin B9 (folate) into methyl-folate, which is essential for a process called methylation. Every single cell and tissue in your body experiences methylation.
The MTHFR SNP is common — approximately 50% of the US population carries at least one SNP. Two MTHFR genes commonly studied are C677T and A1298C (these labels indicate the mutation’s appearance and location on the gene). At each of these genes, you can have none (wild type), one (heterozygous), or two (homozygous) mutations. — according to Amy Meyers, MD
Methyl Care (also known as Vessel Care) by Metagenics - methylated B vitamins that are formulated to lower homocysteine levels. This is what my integrative cardiologist recommended for me due to my test results for MTHFR and my high homocysteine levels. Always check with your doctor before taking any supplements, this is not meant to be medical advice.
Optimal Homocysteine Levels
An optimal homocysteine level is 6-9 umol/L. If someone’s homocysteine level is elevated above 10 umol/L, there is one MTHFR mutation. High homocysteine levels can negatively impact mental health and mood. It is linked to cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, an inability to detoxify, and blood vessel damage.
If it is as high as 18 umol/L, there are likely two MTHFR mutations. Too low of a homocysteine level, such as 2 or 4 umol/L, can indicate that you are not methylating. A low level can also mean that you are over-methylating. Both undermethylation and over-methylation are problematic. — from Amy Myers, MD website
Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead
The movie we had just finished watching when the cardiologist called me to suggest I “get my affairs in order”. I didn’t let his “nocebo” convince me to give up. I learned how to be responsible for my own health and understanding what drives the medical system, it’s not health…it’s all about making money. A sick patient is good for repeat business.
Kintsugi, The Japanese Art of Mending Pottery with Gold
Some four or five centuries ago in Japan, a lavish technique emerged for repairing broken ceramics. Artisans began using lacquer and gold pigment to put shattered vessels back together. This tradition, known as kintsugi, meaning “golden seams” (or kintsukuroi, “golden repair”), is still going strong. — Artsy.net
MCAS Triggers
I discuss the common triggers for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) which is information from Mast Cells United by Amber Walker (links below). Triggers and symptoms vary from one patient to another. Reactions can vary in the same person as they age and dependent on other factors in their life (histamine bucket is full).
Emotional stress is one of the biggest and most common triggers for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).
The Legend of Sleeping Bear
We are blessed to live a leisurely drive up M-22 from our home to get to Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. We enjoy taking an afternoon drive to see the park in autumn when the colors are beautiful and the leaves are the jewels of nature.
The books referenced on the podcast episode are listed below for your reference:
The Whole Heart Solution
by Joel Kahn, MD
In The Whole Heart Solution, America’s Holistic Heart Doc Joel K. Kahn, MD, reveals more than 75 simple, low-cost things you can do right away—from drinking your veggies to opening your windows to walking barefoot—to make yourself heart attack proof.
Cardiovascular disease (CV) is the number one killer in the Western world. But it doesn’t need to be. The truth is that more than 75 percent of cases of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular disease events are preventable.
Here’s what leading physicians and other experts have to say about The Whole Heart Solution:
“If you want to raise your heart energy, keep your heart arteries clean, and identify the root causes of heart disease to avoid stents and bypass surgery, Dr. Kahn has your prescriptions ready to use.
Mast Cells United: A Holistic Approach to Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
by Amber Walker
Two years of full-time research and over 500 pages of information about MCAS!
Faith and Hope
Living for over six decades with these chronic issues that doctors seemed to know little or nothing about often left me feeling defeated and with little hope. I found my courage and my strength through my faith. I found these daily devotionals by Sara such encouraging words that I hope reach out to you too, wherever you are and whatever you’re going through.
A Daily Devotional for Discovering a Meaningful Life in Christ by Sarah Daigle.
Finalist in the 2019 TopShelf Book Awards, Women of Purpose offers 100 days of scripture-based devotions for an intentional and abundant life rooted in Christ.
Music
for The Lone Zebra is provided by my subscription to Epidemic Sound.
Today’s featured song is By His Grace by The Jordon Singers.
Musical Interludes that are features for the show are parts of the following songs:
Your Grace by Station Story (Theme Song for the podcast)
Shaving Grace by T. Morri
Come Be With Us by Joyspring
The Paper Birch by Johannes Bornlof
Our Early Years by David Celeste
I hope you enjoyed the show and share it with a friend! I’m not on some of the usual podcast platforms due to censorship that would not allow me to share the truth. I hope you will help me by sharing this podcast with your family and friends that you care about. There are many people out there struggling with chronic illnesses that can benefit by listening to some of the tips I share.
The Lone Zebra can be found here on Substack with no ads and all the links and show notes are here for your reference too. The episodes can also be found on:
Google podcasts, iHeart, Amazon, Audible, Listen Notes, Radio Public, Podcast Addict, Learn Out Loud, Podbean, Pod Chaser, Spreaker, Rumble, Brighteon, YouTube podcast, TuneIn, and Pocket Casts.
Listed platforms without links I have submitted my podcast to but have yet to list the show. This will be updated on future podcast episodes either with links or being removed from this list. Thank you for your patience.
Please don’t forget to subscribe before you go! You want to miss an episode and it’s free.
Share this post