The Healthy Heart Miracle: Your Roadmap to Lifelong Health - Hardcover

Mirkin M.D., Gabe

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060196807 ISBN 13: 9780060196806

Publisher: William Morrow, 2003

Synopsis

According to the latest research, a diet rich in high-fiber plants can reduce cholesterol levels by nearly 30 percent -- as much as a statin drug -- in as little as 4 weeks. That's just part of the program in The Healthy Heart Miracle by Gabe Mirkin, M.D., author of the bestselling The Sportsmedicine Book, and nutrition expert Diana Mirkin.

For those seeking to dramatically reduce their risk of heart attack, stroke, and diabetes, this simple 8-week program will work with or without cholesterol-lowering or blood pressure-lowering drugs. For people with heart disease, this program provides a roadmap for the lifestyle changes recommended by every cardiologist.

The Healthy Heart Miracle was designed for busy lives. First, Dr. Mirkin explains the medical tests you need to understand your heart health status. Then you'll get a jump-start on positive results with the SHOW ME! Diet, a 2-week miniprogram offering dramatic improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Later weeks ease you into Dr. Mirkin's DASH Plus program. Menu plans, worksheets, and 50 delicious recipes make it easy to start and stay on this program -- with no calorie counting, fat or carbohydrate gram counting, or portion measurements!

Dr. Mirkin's exercise plan is flexible for varied fitness levels. It promotes the newly accepted model of intensity followed by "easy days" for building muscle and reducing heart-harming belly fat.

"The miracle of my DASH Plus program is your body's great capacity to repair damage and revitalize itself," writes Dr. Mirkin. "If you're on the road to a heart attack, my 8-Week Plan will help you make a U-turn."

About this title

Review

In the midst of a carb-cutting craze, Dr. Gabe Mirkin reminds us that not all carbohydrates are alike. Drawing on a post-Atkins approach, Dr. Mirkin and coauthor Diana Mirkin, approach eating and fitness in terms of a healthy hearts rather than a smaller jean size. The centerpiece of their approach is exercise paired with "ASH,"a meatless and whole grain diet designed to reduce chances of suffering from heart attack, diabetes and stroke. The "miracle" of the title refers to how quickly and dramatically this diet can lower blood pressure and "bad" cholesterol counts. Using an eight-week workbook format, the authors offer clear explanations of healthy heart concepts including cholesterol, blood sugar body fat and fiber. They offer accessible assessment tools (body mass index, the apple vs. pear body shape and the "pinch test"). Writing with a clear and engaging style, the Mirkins point readers toward the prevention of diseases such as diabetes, hardened arteries and dementia. As author of the bestselling Sports Medicine Book, Dr. Mirkin emphasizes fitness as much as food. The organization of the book into eight-week modules can be confusing. But the specific ideas including recipes, food lists and fitness options are practical and persuasive. --Barbara Mackoff

About the Author

Gabe Mirkin, M.D., a practicing physician for 40 years, is board-certified in four specialties and is an associate professor at the Georgetown University School of Medicine. A pioneer in the fitness movement and host of a medical talk show for 25 years, Dr. Mirkin is the author of eight books, including the bestselling The Sportsmedicine Book, and numerous scientific articles and textbook chapters.

Edition details

• Publisher: William Morrow
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0060196807
• ISBN 13: 9780060196806
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288