February is American Heart Health Awareness Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in American due to genetic factors and lifestyle. The five main factors that lead to heart disease are: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes and smoking. There are also genetic factors that increases the chances. If heart disease runs in your family history it puts you at a higher risk. We cannot do anything to prevent our genetics, however we can make lifestyle changes that impact not only how long we live but also the quality of our life.

As a personal trainer and lifestyle coach here are ways I help my clients reverse many health issues that could possibly lead to heart disease. Eating a high protein diet low in sodium and fat to reverse issues of high cholesterol and high blood pressure. High blood pressure can be easily reversed with limiting sodium along with junk food and processed food. High cholesterol can also be reversed with your diet by limiting beef and red meat. Being on a lean high protein diet with food such as chicken breasts, salmon, tuna and oatmeal can improve your cholesterol and heart health.

An active lifestyle is also very important for your heart health. Strength training is the most beneficial way to strengthen your heart health as the heart is a muscle and needs to be worked just like any other muscle in our body. Everything starts with the heart when it comes to strength training. It is the heart that pumps blood to every muscle in our body. Without strength training there is no flow of blood throughout our body especially our lower body. Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes can be reversed through strength training. Type 2 Diabetes is mainly caused by the storage of carbohydrates and simple sugars which metabolize into fat. Strength training can use the stored energy and convert it into lean muscle.

I have helped so many people reverse these health issues in a less than a six months just by a healthy lifestyle of eating clean foods and strength training, which come from my bodybuilding experience. My studio located in Madison Heights allows me to offer an intimate setting to help my clients improve their health and quality of life.