Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN’s Post

Reduce Inflammation to Prevent Heart Disease Ever felt a bit bored by the cholesterol talk related to heart health? Well, get ready for a twist. Recent studies indicate that inflammation might be just as key in battling heart disease. It’s been found that fighting inflammation, even if cholesterol levels stay the same, decreases heart attack and stroke risks significantly. In the JUPITER study, older adults with high inflammation but normal cholesterol, who took statins, saw less heart attacks and strokes1. Another trial, CANTOS, showed a 15% drop in heart attacks or strokes for those with a prior heart attack and high inflammation after using an anti-inflammatory drug1. Their need for big heart surgeries also decreased by 30%, pointing out the power of fighting inflammation1. Key Takeaways Inflammation is key in heart disease development. Lowering it reduces heart attack and stroke risks. Studies show working on inflammation, even if cholesterol isn’t changed, greatly cuts heart disease risk. Changing lifestyle habits like quitting smoking, keeping a healthy weight, and regular exercise can lessen inflammation and boost heart health. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet, with foods like fruits, veggies, nuts, and fatty fish, also helps cut inflammation. Drugs such as statins and anti-inflammatory medicines help manage inflammation and lower heart disease chances. #heartdisease #diabetes #hearthealth #health #heart #cardiology #heartattack #cancer #healthylifestyle #highbloodpressure #hearthealthy #cardiologist #stroke #doctor #nutrition #healthy 

Reduce Inflammation to Prevent Heart Disease Ever felt a bit bored by the cholesterol talk related to heart health? Well, get ready for a twist. Recent studies indicate that inflammation might be just as key in battling heart disease. It’s been found that fighting inflammation, even if cholesterol levels stay the same, decreases heart attack and stroke risks significantly. In the JUPITER study, older adults with high inflammation but normal cholesterol, who took statins, saw less heart attacks and strokes1. Another trial, CANTOS, showed a 15% drop in heart attacks or strokes for those with a prior heart attack and high inflammation after using an anti-inflammatory drug1. Their need for big heart surgeries also decreased by 30%, pointing out the power of fighting inflammation1. Key Takeaways Inflammation is key in heart disease development. Lowering it reduces heart attack and stroke risks. Studies show working on inflammation, even if cholesterol isn’t changed, greatly cuts heart disease risk. Changing lifestyle habits like quitting smoking, keeping a healthy weight, and regular exercise can lessen inflammation and boost heart health. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet, with foods like fruits, veggies, nuts, and fatty fish, also helps cut inflammation. Drugs such as statins and anti-inflammatory medicines help manage inflammation and lower heart disease chances. #heartdisease #diabetes #hearthealth #health #heart #cardiology #heartattack #cancer #healthylifestyle #highbloodpressure #hearthealthy #cardiologist #stroke #doctor #nutrition #healthy 

A Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) score, obtained through a CT test, evaluates the calcified plaque in your arteries, offering insights into your coronary artery disease risk.⁠ ⁠ Ranging from 0 to over 400, this score reflects the degree of calcified plaque accumulation and is often stated comparing the value relative to your age, gender and sex. ⁠ ⁠ Cardiologists emphasize that any score above 0 suggests potential active plaque formation, prompting the need for proactive measures to mitigate risk.⁠ ⁠ While the CAC score evaluates calcified plaque (the last stage of atherosclerosis), it does not assess for soft plaque (earlier stage of atherosclerosis), a common cause of heart attacks. Our focus isn't on removing hardened plaque but rather on stabilizing existing plaque, preventing further buildup, and supporting optimal heart function.⁠ ⁠ From a science-based nutrition perspective, our goals revolve around adopting a nutrient-focused diet that:⁠ 1. Stabilizes existing arterial plaque.⁠ 2. Prevents additional plaque formation.⁠ 3. Reduces strain on the heart to prevent complications like heart failure.⁠ ⁠ Achieving these objectives involves:⁠ ⁠ ⭐️ Optimizing ALL cardiometabolic risk factors, including blood pressure (normal is less than 120/80mmHg, optimal is 110/70mmHg), lipid profiles (apoB, LDL, non-HDL and triglycerides), inflammation markers (like hsCRP), blood sugar levels, and waist circumference (measured at belly button, not pants size!).⁠ ⁠ ⭐️ Addressing underlying causes of heart disease, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction to mitigate the atherosclerotic process.⁠ ⁠ ❤️ Join me in my 6-week heart optimization group program, where we deep dive into these principles via live lectures (also recorded to watch at your convenience) where I guide you to implement a science based heart-healthy lifestyle to improve your cardiovascular risk profile.⁠ ⁠ 👉🏼 The next session begins on May 10th and enrollment is open on a first come, first serve basis. ⁠ ⁠ 👉🏼 Secure your spot today: https://lnkd.in/e5eigZgA ⁠ Let's prioritize your heart health together! #coronaryarterydisease #coronaryheartdisease #coronaryangiography #coronarycalciumscore #heartattack #heartattacksurvivor #heartattackprevention #heartattackrecovery #hearthealth #hearthealthy #hearthealthydiet #hearthealthawareness #hearthealthyliving #highcalciumscore #hearthealthyrecipes #heartdisease #heartdiseaseawareness #heartdiseaseprevention #heartdiseasesurvivor #heartdiseasewarrior #heartdiseasesupport #highcholesterol #cardiacbypasssurgery #cardiacrehab #cardiacsurgery #cardiacdiet #heartfailureawareness #heartfailure #heartfailuresurvivor #heartfailurediet

The American Heart Association released a report last week that more than 6 in 10 U.S. adults will have some type of cardiovascular disease by 2050.⁠ ⁠ It is important to understand that cardiovascular disease is an umbrella term for many conditions, including coronary heart disease (including heart attack), arrhythmias (including atrial fibrillation), valvular disease, congenital heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and hypertension.⁠ ⁠ What is important to note is there is a suspected decline in high cholesterol, the other risk factors are expected to increase, particularly:⁠ a) High blood pressure from 51.2% in 2020 to 61% in 2025.⁠ b) Obesity from 43.1% to 60.6%⁠ c) Diabetes from 16.3% to 26.8%⁠ ⁠ ⭐️ Research shows that 80-90% of heart disease is preventable through science based nutrition! ⁠ ⁠ ⭐️ We CAN and NEED to address these all risk factors through science based nutrition!⁠ ⁠ ⭐️ Join me in changing these projected statistics and take action NOW to avoid cardiovascular disease and/or its complications in the future. ⁠ ⁠ ❤️ I created my 6 week heart optimization group program to help you protect your heart from all of these conditions. ⁠ ⁠ In this program, I give you the tools and strategies to optimize your heart health and function, and reduce your risk of heart disease and its complications. We discuss in detail what is happening in the arteries and how we can mitigate the underlying causes of heart disease - from inflammation, insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, lipid optimization, etc. - through science based nutrition.⁠ ⁠ ❤️ If you are looking for support on your heart health journey, join my next group program that starts on July 12th! ⁠ ⁠ Enrollment is open, and is filled on a first come, first serve basis.⁠ Enroll here: https://lnkd.in/e5eigZgA If you haven't joined my email list, be sure to here: https://lnkd.in/eAEbtf_E #highcholesterol #highbloodpressure #highcalciumscore #lowercholesterol #lowerbloodpressure #heartdiseaseprevention #cholesteroldiet #hearthealthydiet #cardiacdiet #cholesteroltips #lowerbloodpressurenaturally #heartattackrecovery #cardiacbypasssurgery #cardiacrehab #heartdiseaseawareness #heartattacksurvivor #atherosclerosis #lowcholesterol #foodovermedicine #cardiacbypasss #hearthealth #hearthealthy #antiinflammatory #antiinflammatorydiet #coronaryarterydisesae #heartdiseasesupport #cardiacsurgery #heartsurgerysurvivor #heartattackprevention #heartdisease

How does inflammation play a role in atherosclerosis?⁠ ⁠ Atherosclerosis, the process of artery narrowing due to plaque buildup, features two distinct plaque types. Soft plaques, with lipid-rich cores and thin caps, are prone to rupture, leading to sudden blockages and acute cardiovascular events. While hardened plaques, with more calcification and thicker caps, are in the more advanced stage of plaque formation and tend to be more stable but can still restrict blood flow, contributing to chronic complications over time.⁠ ⁠ Let’s discuss how inflammation influences both types of plaques:⁠ ⁠ 1. Promotion of plaque: Chronic inflammation within the arterial walls triggers an immune response that leads to the accumulation of cholesterol and immune cells, contributing to the formation of these plaques. ⁠ 2. Inducing instability in plaque: Inflammation within plaques can weaken their structure by increasing the activity of enzymes that break down the fibrous cap covering the plaque. This weakening can lead to plaque rupture, triggering blood clot formation and sudden blockages in arteries, which can cause heart attacks or strokes. Additionally, inflammation can make the plaque more prone to rupture by increasing its vulnerability to being eroded by circulating immune cells and substances in the blood.⁠ ⁠ ⭐️We can and need to reduce inflammation through science based, targeted nutrition and lifestyle changes. Ideally achieving hsCRP less than 1mg/dL.⁠ ⁠ ❤️ In my 6 week heart optimization, we discuss how to prevent the progression of atherosclerosis and how to optimize your heart health through science based nutrition. ⁠ ⁠ 👉🏼 I devote an entire lecture and week on inflammation in my 6 week group program - we discuss the how, what, and why to implement science based nutrition strategies together.⁠ ⁠ To secure your spot in my next 6 week heart optimization group program, enroll today: https://lnkd.in/e5eigZgA #coronaryarterydisease #coronaryheartdisease #coronaryangiography #coronarycalciumscore #heartattack #heartattacksurvivor #heartattackprevention #heartattackrecovery #hearthealth #hearthealthy #hearthealthydiet #hearthealthawareness #hearthealthyliving #highcalciumscore #hearthealthyrecipes #heartdisease #heartdiseaseawareness #heartdiseaseprevention #heartdiseasesurvivor #heartdiseasewarrior #heartdiseasesupport #highcholesterol #cardiacbypasssurgery #cardiacrehab #cardiacsurgery #cardiacdiet #heartfailureawareness #heartfailure #heartfailuresurvivor #heartfailurediet

Early Symptoms of Liver Disease: What to Look Out For! Your liver plays a crucial role in keeping your body healthy, and recognizing the early symptoms of liver disease can make a significant difference in managing your health. At Pleasant Medical Centre, we're committed to helping you stay informed and healthy. Here are some early signs to watch for: 1. Fatigue and Weakness Feeling unusually tired or weak? This can be one of the first signs of liver trouble. Your liver is responsible for detoxifying your body, and when it's not functioning properly, you might feel more tired than usual. 2. Yellowing of the Skin and Eyes (Jaundice) Notice a yellow tint to your skin or the whites of your eyes? This happens when there's an excess of bilirubin in your body, indicating liver issues. 3. Dark Urine and Pale Stools If your urine appears darker than usual and your stools are pale, it could be a sign that your liver is not processing waste effectively. 4. Abdominal Pain and Swelling Pain or swelling in the upper right side of your abdomen might indicate liver inflammation or enlargement. Don't ignore persistent discomfort. 5. Loss of Appetite A sudden decrease in appetite or unexplained weight loss can be a symptom of liver disease. Your liver is essential for digestion and metabolism. 6. Nausea and Vomiting Experiencing frequent nausea and vomiting can also be linked to liver problems. It's important to pay attention to these symptoms and seek medical advice. 7. Itchy Skin Persistent itching without an apparent cause can be a sign of liver dysfunction. It happens due to bile salts accumulating under the skin. What to Do Next? If you notice any of these symptoms, don't wait! Early detection and treatment are key to managing liver disease effectively. 👉 Schedule a Check-Up: Regular health check-ups can help detect liver problems early. Call us at 059 911 1196 👉 Stay Informed: Follow our page for more health tips and updates. 👉 Take Care of Your Liver: Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption. At Pleasant Medical Centre, your health is our priority. Stay vigilant, stay healthy!

These symptoms may indicate there may be underlying inflammation in your body that needs to be addressed. It does not confirm inflammation, but they could be indicators to consider and address for optimal heart health. To confirm, you can request blood tests for inflammation like hsCRP, optimal levels are less than 1.0mg/dL. 
Why may this these symptoms be signs of inflammation? 1. Underlying inflammation can dysregulate the immune system, causing either an overactive or weakened response to pathogens, increasing susceptibility to frequent infections due to compromised immune function. 2. Persistent fatigue can lead to inflammation due to its impact on energy levels, stress responses, and potential nutrient deficiencies, creating a cascade effect that disrupts the body's balance and triggers inflammatory responses. 3. Acid reflux causes inflammation by repeatedly irritating the lining of the esophagus due to the regurgitation of stomach acid. 4. Skin problems can signal inflammation because the skin is sensitive to changes in the body's immune responses, leading to visible issues like rashes or redness as a result of internal inflammation. 5. Stubborn abdominal weight can be a sign of underlying inflammation. This happens because inflammatory processes can disrupt how the body regulates fat storage, leading to a specific accumulation of fat around the abdomen that is metabolically active and that causes more inflammatory proteins to be in the bloodstream. 6. Joint pain can suggest inflammation because it often accompanies swollen and achy joints. Plus, ongoing inflammation in joints might not just affect mobility but also impact heart health by potentially causing issues with blood vessels and heart function. ⭐️ We need to address and combat inflammation to protect your heart. ❤️ Join me in my next 6 week heart optimization group program where we discuss how to address inflammation through science based nutrition and protect your heart so you can live a long and healthy life, doing the things you love to do! 👉🏼 My next group program starts on February 9th and spots are limited! Enroll today to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/e5eigZgA #highcholesterol #highcholesteroldiet #highcholesterolproblems #highcholesterollife #cholesterol #lowcholesterol #heartdisease #hearthealth #lowercholesterol #statins #agingwell #heartdiseaseprevention #heartattackprevention #cardiovasculardisease #cardiacdiet #heartthealthydiet #heartattacksurvivor #ldlcholesterol #hearthealthy #heartdiseaseawareness #highbloodpressure #atherosclerosis #atherosclorsistreatment #cardiacbypass #cardiarehab #heartscan #calciumscan #lowercholesterolnaturally #hearthealthawareness #heartheallthyliving

ABOUT THE HEART DISEASES Types of Heart problems are as follows: 1. Atherosclerosis - plaque built up in artery walls caused by fatty foods which becomes cholesterol & triglycerides after digestion. 2. Angina Pectoris - type of chest pain, pressure or discomfort caused by blocked arteries & blood flow to the heart is limited. There will be a shortfall in oxygen supply to the heart & resulting in deprived muscles of the heart which causes pain, pressure or squeezing in the left of the heart. 3. Heart Attacks (Myocardial Infarction) - this means dead heart muscle. The Heart stops beating due to blocked oxygen supply & blood supply which prevents contractions of the heart. If this happens in 40 - 60 mins, a person will die. Symptoms include sweating, grey complexion, shortness of breath, pain can spread to jaws, neck, arms, back & stomach. HOW TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE: - Control your blood pressure. - Keep your cholesterol & triglyceride levels under control. - Manage your blood sugar. - Eat a healthy diet. - Regularly exercise. - Limit alcohol & smoking. - Manage your stress levels. - Get enough sleep. OUR HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS TO HELP YOU PROTECT YOUR HEART & REVERSES ANY HEART PROBLEM: 1. Cardio Power - can dilate coronary arteries, increase coronary blood flow to the heart, increase cardiac output, decrease myocardial oxygen consumption & blood platelets aggregation, prevent thrombosis, lower blood & plasma viscosity & reduce cholesterol. Note: Our products are based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The only side effect is quick recovery. No other notable side effects. ☎️Contact or Join us on any of these platforms: • Whatsapp: https://lnkd.in/dpFigysu • Website: https://lnkd.in/d67ypniU • Instagram: https://lnkd.in/daAUmqYq • Facebook page: https://lnkd.in/dfuP4tR6 • Facebook group: https://lnkd.in/d8tgNRFE • TikTok: https://lnkd.in/dJ7N6QGG • Youtube Channel: https://lnkd.in/deAufQ4w • LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/dvfWdqRZ

Many people who come to see me for Afib often express how it significantly affects their quality of life. However, there are also individuals who come to me for other heart-related concerns and casually mention having Afib, indicating that it doesn't bother them much. 👉🏼 Most don’t know the connection between stroke and Afib and I want to share this with you so you can take proactive action. ⚠️ Individuals with Afib are five times more likely to experience a stroke compared to those without the condition. Atrial fibrillation (Afib) is a common heart rhythm disorder characterized by irregular and rapid heartbeats. Afib increases the risk of stroke significantly due to the formation of blood clots in the heart's upper chambers (atria). When the heart beats irregularly in Afib, blood can pool and clot in the atria. If a clot dislodges and travels to the brain, it can cause a stroke by blocking blood flow. The risk of stroke in Afib patients can be further compounded by other risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, insulin resistance, and prior history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). ⭐️ Managing Afib through science based nutrition and lifestyle modifications, medication as necessary and tolerated, and sometimes procedures like cardioversion or ablation can help reduce the risk of stroke. ❤️ Hi, my name is Michelle Routhenstein and I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who specializes in heart disease management and prevention through science based nutrition.   Here are three tips to help optimize your heart health through science based nutrition: 1️⃣ Balance your plate with the appropriate quantity of macronutrients  for optimal utilization and processing of your food. 2️⃣ Achieve micronutrient sufficiency through adding in adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals through food. 3️⃣ Manage and address any gut issues. It is important that acid reflux, bloating, indigestion, and constipation are addressed to help with putting Afib into remission. 👋🏼 Share this with a friend who may benefit. ⭐️ Sign up to my email list for more heart disease prevention tips: https://lnkd.in/eAEbtf_E #afibdiett #heartdisease #hearthealthydiet #cardiacdiet #atrialfibrillation #afibsucks #arrhythmia #cardioversion #afib #tachycardia #cardiacablationrecovery #afibawareness #cardiacablation #cardiaccathlab #atrialfibrillationawareness #atrialfibrillationablation #cardiovasculardisease #hearthealth #ablation #hearthealthy #hearthealthyfoods #strokeprevention #cardiacsurgery #inflammationrelief #bloodpressure #atherosclerosis #highcholesterol #heartattackprevention #heartattacksurvivor #heartdiseaseawareness

When I ask my clients what their goals are by working with me, they often mention how they want to live longer and keep their heart working optimally.⁠ ⁠ As a cardiology dietitian, the way I strive to help my clients achieve these goals is to focus on a nutrient sufficient diet that addresses several things:⁠ ⁠ 1. Stabilizing the plaque already present in your arteries⁠ 2. Preventing further promotion of plaque⁠ 3. Reducing the overtaxing on the heart to allow it to optimally function to prevent heart failure, heart enlargement, and heart pumping complications.⁠ 4. Optimizing all the risk factors you may have, such as lowering LDL and non-HDL cholesterol, hs-CRP inflammation markers, insulin resistance, and waist circumference⁠ 5. Addressing the underlying root causes of heart disease, like inflammation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, overweight or obesity, and plaque buildup.⁠ ⁠ ❤️ While this may sound like a lot, I teach my clients the how to so that they can protect their heart for the long term and be able to live a confident, anxiety-free, heart healthy long life with the people they love.⁠ ⁠ ⭐️ I teach these principles and how to implement a truly nutrient sufficient, heart healthy diet in my 1 on 1 personalized programs and in my 6 week heart optimization group program. ✨ My next group program is closed for enrollment. If you are interested in future cohorts, be sure to sign up to my email list here: https://lnkd.in/eAEbtf_E ❤️ I would love to support you! #coronaryarterydisease #coronaryheartdisease #coronaryangiography #coronarycalciumscore #heartattack #heartattacksurvivor #heartattackprevention #heartattackrecovery #hearthealth #hearthealthy #hearthealthydiet #hearthealthawareness #hearthealthyliving #highcalciumscore #hearthealthyrecipes #heartdisease #heartdiseaseawareness #heartdiseaseprevention #heartdiseasesurvivor #heartdiseasewarrior #heartdiseasesupport #highcholesterol #cardiacbypasssurgery #cardiacrehab #cardiacsurgery #cardiacdiet #heartfailureawareness #heartfailure #heartfailuresurvivor #heartfailurediet