[This content is a story-based medical science article, please read it rationally, and do not sit down]
"Doctor Zhang, I'm here with a 'baby' this time!"
Uncle Liu mysteriously took out a small bottle from his pocket, which contained a sparkling white pill. I took the bottle and looked at it and couldn't help but smile.
"Zinc flakes? Uncle Liu, are you planning to rely on zinc tablets to treat coronary heart disease? "
Uncle Liu said triumphantly: "It's not! A few days ago, I read on the Internet that coronary heart disease is the most afraid of zinc deficiency, so I immediately bought a big bottle. Dr. Zhang, do you think I'm clever at this? "
I shook my head and cried. As a cardiologist, I have seen too many patients like Uncle Liu. They are often misled by one-sided information on the Internet, thinking that they have found a "panacea" for the treatment of coronary heart disease.
"Uncle Liu, it's a pity that your idea is a little biased. Let's take a look at the results of your recent examination first. "
Uncle Liu is a 65-year-old retired worker. I was diagnosed with coronary heart disease three years ago and have been following up with me ever since. The results of this follow-up showed that his blood lipids had increased, and there were some new abnormalities in the electrocardiogram.
"Uncle Liu, have you been secretly eating greasy food again recently?" I asked, half-jokingly.
Uncle Liu scratched his head embarrassedly: "Isn't this the New Year, the children at home have come back, and they can't help but eat a few more meals." "
I sighed and began to explain to him the relationship between zinc and coronary heart disease. It's a long story.
Zinc is indeed one of the most important elements for heart health. It is like the "patron saint" of the heart and plays a role in many ways. Zinc can help regulate blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and inhibit platelet aggregation to reduce the risk of thrombosis. Even better, it also participates in the antioxidant process, protecting cardiovascular cells from free radical damage.
"Wouldn't it be nice for me to take zinc tablets?" Uncle Liu asked puzzled.
I smiled and explained, "Uncle Liu, you think, although zinc is important, it is just a small cog for heart health. Can a machine spin with just one gear? In addition, excessive zinc supplementation will not only not bring additional benefits, but may affect the absorption of other minerals, which is more than worth the loss. "
I am reminded of the experience of a patient. He is a 45-year-old company executive who is stressed at work and has an irregular diet. After being diagnosed with coronary heart disease in the early stage, he also wanted to "save himself" by taking a large amount of zinc tablets. The result is not only not the improvement of the condition, but the absorption of iron is affected, resulting in mild anemia. This case made me realize that supplementing with a nutrient alone is not enough.
"So how should we supplement zinc?" Uncle Liu asked.
I smiled and replied, "The best way to do this is to get it from your daily diet." Nature has given us abundant zinc source food, so why should we go far and near? "
I began to introduce several high-zinc foods to Uncle Liu. Oysters, lean beef, chicken breast, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, nuts, these are the "bonanzas" of zinc. Not only are they high in zinc, but they also provide other heart-healthy nutrients.
"Oysters, for example, are not only high in zinc, but also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for heart health. In addition to zinc, lean beef is also rich in high-quality protein and iron. Pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds are also rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fatty acids. "
Uncle Liu nodded again and again when he heard this, and his eyes flashed with curiosity.
I continued: "But Uncle Liu, you have to remember that even the best food should be eaten in moderation. For example, although oysters are high in zinc, they also contain high cholesterol, so you can't eat too much for people with coronary heart disease. "
Speaking of which, I am reminded of an interesting study. Studies have shown that people who consume the right amount of zinc per day (11 mg for men and 8 mg for women) have an 18% lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those who do not consume enough zinc. This data makes me sigh that the small element zinc has such a big effect.
"Is there anything else I need to pay attention to besides adjusting my diet?" Uncle Liu asked.
I smiled and replied, "I'm glad you asked that." Diet is just one part of a healthy life. For patients with coronary heart disease, reasonable exercise, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol, and maintaining a good attitude are equally important. It's like taking care of a delicate flower, which requires a balanced combination of sunlight, water, and fertilizer. "
I recommend Uncle Liu to do about 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise every day, such as brisk walking or jogging. Exercise improves blood circulation, strengthens heart muscle function, and can also help control weight in one fell swoop.
"Uncle Liu, you also have to remember that emotional management is also very important. When you're in a good mood, your body secretes some beneficial hormones that are good for your heart health. You can try some relaxing activities like tai chi, listening to music, or chatting with friends. "
Uncle Liu nodded thoughtfully: "Doctor Zhang, I understand." It seems that my previous idea was too simple, health cannot be achieved by blindly supplementing with certain nutrients. "
I smiled with satisfaction: "That's right, Uncle Liu." Health is a system project, which requires our joint efforts from many aspects. It's like playing a symphony, and each instrument has to work together to create a beautiful melody. "
Before leaving, I formulated a detailed diet and living plan for Uncle Liu, and told him to come back for a review in three months.
After sending Uncle Liu away, I couldn't help but fall into deep thought. In this era of information explosion, people are often easily misled by one-sided health information. As a doctor, I feel deeply responsible for helping more people understand health knowledge correctly and avoid misunderstandings.
The prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease is by no means solved by supplementing a certain nutrient alone. It requires little bit of effort from our daily lives. A balanced diet, moderate exercise, and good emotional management are the real "magic weapons for protecting the heart" in these seemingly ordinary lifestyles.
A few months later, Uncle Liu came for a follow-up visit with new test results. It is gratifying to see that his indicators have improved significantly. Lipids decreased, and the ECG tended to normal. What surprised me even more was that Uncle Liu's mental state was much better than before.
"Dr. Zhang, I now go for a walk in the park every day and do Tai Chi with my old friends. We also pay attention to the diversity of food, fish, lean meat, and beans, and we will often eat some of them. I also have all the zinc-high foods you said in my heart. Uncle Liu said with great interest.
Looking at the smile on Uncle Liu's face, I felt a heartfelt relief. This proves once again that a scientific and rational lifestyle is the key to maintaining heart health.
Looking back on this case, I can't help but sigh: health has never been achieved by a single nutrient. Zinc, while important, is only one component of heart health. It is like an instrument in a symphony orchestra, and only when it works in harmony with other "instruments" can it play a moving "song of health".
As a doctor, I hope that by sharing these experiences, I can help more people realize that heart health is a holistic way of life, not the efficacy of some "magic element". Let's use scientific attitudes and methods to protect our heart health. After all, a healthy heart is what can sustain us on a journey further in life.
Whether it's zinc or other nutrients, there is no absolute good or bad. It's all about how to balance them and how to properly integrate them into our daily lives. It's like cooking a delicious dish that requires just the right amount of ingredients and heat. Our heart health also needs such careful "cooking".
I would like to conclude with a message to everyone who cares about heart health: don't be fooled by a single piece of information and don't expect too much from a certain nutrient. Heart health is a system project that requires us to manage it carefully. Let's start a healthy and happy life journey together! Remember that a healthy heart is our most valuable asset.
[This content is a story-based medical and health science article, and any name, place name, or event that appears in the article except for the health science content is artistic processing, and it is not intended to offend or belittle any individual, group or organization. If there is any similarity, it is purely a coincidence, please read it rationally. 】