Running & Exercise Can Cause Heart Disease

Last week the UK Daily Mail dropped a bombshell when they published an article stating super-fit people are more likely to have pacemakers later in life.  If you love to exercise, and are in peak condition, you mind find this disconcerting.    Is there any truth to the statement “exercise causes changes in the body that can disrupt electrical pulses in the heart causing abnormal heart rhythms” ? Yes, there is.  But what the article isn’t telling you, is  that there is a simple solution to this problem.  And no, you don’t have to give up exercise, or even slow down.

How to Avoid Heart Disease

In our body we have something called “electrolytes”.  These are substances that conduct electrical impulses in our bodily fluids. The 8 major electrolytes are:  sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, phosphate and sulfate.  It is necessary to have the right balance of electrolytes in order to remain healthy. Your muscles depend heavily on electrolytes to function properly.  Your heart is a muscle.  Muscle cramping and arrhythmia (irregular heart beat) are severe signs your body is deficient in electrolytes. Though you don’t have to be an athlete to become low in electrolytes, athletes are much more prone to having a deficiency because electrolytes are lost during physical activity and sweating.    Low levels of electrolytes over time can damage your heart.

Replacing Electrolytes

We do not recommend sports drinks that are full of sugar and other chemicals.  They will damage your body in other ways. One of the best way to ensure you never run out of electrolytes is to take a liquid trace mineral formula. Trace minerals can also be found in tablets but for faster assimilation, liquids are better. If you are running a marathon in severe heat, it is also a good idea to take extra salt and potassium to replenish what you are excreting in your sweat.  You can either use sea salt tablets or put some good quality sea salt in liquid and drink.  You can find potassium in either a liquid or tablet form. Ultra marathon runner, John Radich, has been using Peter’s vitamins and minerals for over 30 years and swears that he couldn’t do the marathons without them.  John even does one of the most grueling marathons in North America – the Badwater Ultra Marathon in Death Valley, CA .  (Death Valley is known for being one of the hottest spots on earth.)  We supply John with a lot of liquid minerals before his marathons. Enjoy being an athlete and do not worry that you might be damaging your heart.  Just ensure you take the proper nutrients on a regular basis to prevent any future problems.

To your Health!

Peter Gillham