Dr Ross Walker World Heart Day Interview

World Heart Health Day: Spotlight on Advances in Natural Therapies

With 4.2 million Australians affected by cardiovascular health issues, at a cost of $5.9 billion to the country" cardiovascular health issues continue to be one of the biggest burdens to the economy and remains at the forefront of the health agenda in Australia.

This World Heart Health Day on 29th September 2019"The World Heart Federation has made it part of their mission to ensure heart health equity for all by creating a global community of 'Heart Heroes.'

This mission encourages global citizens to make a promise regarding dietary, fitness, health and lifestyle changes at work and at home for a longer, better, heart-healthier life for someone they love or care about.

Increasingly, natural evidence-based therapies are in the spotlight to support heart health, with researchers reporting advances in understanding of the role of Ubiquinol, the active form of the powerful antioxidant CoEnzyme Q10 found naturally in the body.

Supported by over 20+ clinical trials"the role of Co-Enzyme Q10 in its most active form, Ubiquinol, is showing promise as an option for healthcare practitioners seeking natural approaches to support their patients' cardiovascular health.

In a German study, which included 871 healthy elderly people and those with heart issues with a mean age of 52 years"researchers found that Ubiquinol is at its highest in individuals with healthier hearts.v The study also investigated the link between levels of CoQ10 and a protein that is produced by an unhealthy heart called Nterminal-pro-BNP (NT-pro-BNP). They found that high levels of NT-pro-BNP are closely linked to low levels of Ubiquinol and that levels of these unhealthy proteins increased as their symptoms worsened and decreased as the condition stabilised.

Another long-term study, from The Journal of the American College of Cardiology, found supplementation with CoQ10 may help support heart health.

The Q-Symbio study is one of the first long-term, international studies to show positive effects of Coenzyme Q10 with fewer heart-related complications among the 420 patients treated over a 2-year period.

These studies, in conjunction with ongoing heart research in Australia and around the world, presents options for those looking to address their cardiovascular health and provides hope for those seeking alternative solutions in supporting heart health.

About Ubiquinol:
Ubiquinol is the active form of the powerful antioxidant, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). It is the form that is ready for immediate use by the body.
Ubiquinol is responsible for energy production in each cell of our body and is vital for supporting optimal health and energy levels. As we age, Ubiquinol levels have been shown to decline.

Benefits:
• More easily absorbed into the body compared to standard CoQ10
• Powers Your Cells - helps your body's cells convert energy
• Strong antioxidant - helps soak up oxidative stress and free radicals
• Supports the heart - helps maintain a healthy heart and vascular system
• Cholesterol Support - helps maintain healthy LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in healthy people.

Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist consult your healthcare practitioner.

Interview with Dr Ross Walker, Integrative Cardiologist

Dr Ross Walker is an eminent practising cardiologist with a passion for people and health. Considered one of the world's best keynote speakers and life coaches, he is the author of seven best-selling books, an Health presenter in the Australian Media, including regular appearances on the Nine Network's 'Today Show' and 'A Current Affair', and Sky News, Switzer Business. He also has a weekly radio show on Sydney's 2UE/ 4BC &2CC with other regular segments on 2UE, 6PR, 4BC and 3AW.

Question: What's the main message you hope to spread for World Heart Day?

Dr Ross Walker: This World Heart Day is centred around encouraging global citizens to make a promise regarding dietary, fitness, health and lifestyle changes at work and at home for a longer, better, heart-healthier life for someone they love or care about.

I think the main message is for everyone to reflect and think about how they can adjust habits in their daily routine for not only their own heart, but for the sake of not breaking the hearts of other important people in their life.


Question: Can you tell us about the global community of Heart Heroes?

Dr Ross Walker: The 'Heart Heroes' global community applies to anyone and everyone"whether or not you've been touched or indirectly affected by heart health issues. This could be yourself, your daughter, father, grandmother, neighbour or local florist"it's about everyone coming together collectively to try and make improvements in their lives for their own health and for the sake of others.

Considering 4.2 million Australians are affected by cardiovascular health issues at a cost of $5.9 billion to the country "the old adage 'an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure' couldn't be any more accurate in this case.


Question: What changes can we make to create a better, heart-healthier life?

Dr Ross Walker: This is a great question"I encourage people to practise my '5 Keys to Good Health' to reduce health risks.

1. Quit all addictions. You cannot be healthy and smoke, you cannot be healthy and drink too much alcohol, and you cannot be healthy and use any illegal drugs.
2. Cultivate a good quality sleep habit: The quality of your day very much depends on the quality of your sleep the night before. We spend a third of our life sleeping, it has to be something important.
3. Nutrition. If you can kill it and eat it straight away or grow it in your backyard, it is good for you and after that all bets are off. The simplest summary of good eating is to eat less and eat more naturally.
4. Exercise. 3-5 hours per week of exercise that makes you hot and somewhat short of breath. In between times, try to move as much as possible. Prolonged sitting is bad for your health.
5. Happiness. The best drug on the planet is happiness. In each moment, cultivate the attitude. I choose peace over this; I am not going to give you the power; and most importantly, develop a service mentality. Live each moment with the attitude, how may I serve, rather than what's in it for me. Cultivating peace and happiness is an extremely important method In improving your own health.


Question: Why is it critical to look to natural therapies around World Heart Day?

Dr Ross Walker: With a combination of improved lifestyle habits and evidence-based supplements"this is a great way to be proactive about your heart health for the short and long term.

However, it is also important depending on advice from your healthcare practitioner to consider appropriate pharmaceutical therapy if necessary.


Question: What is Ubiquinol and how will the antioxidant increase our heart health?

Dr Ross Walker: For proactive heart health supplementation"Ubiquinol, which is the active, more readily absorbed and effective form of CoQ10"is a powerful antioxidant found naturally in the body. Research has shown that Ubiquinol supports heart function by assisting in maintaining healthy levels of LDL cholesterol and may help with overall maintenance of a healthy cardiovascular system. In a study in an American Heart Association journals, patients with heart disease who took Ubiquinol showed an improvement in the plasma CoQ10 levels and improvement in heart function.
Speak to your healthcare practitioner to find out which supplement is right for you. Always read the label and use only as directed.


Interview by Brooke Hunter