For years medical professionals believed that obesity and heart disease were only related indirectly. Major risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hardening of the arteries and type 2 diabetes are attributed to how obese a person is. Obesity was believed to be a contributing factor to heart disease, new studies now show a direct link between obesity and heart related diseases.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated by using a person's height and weight and applies to both men and women regardless of age, frame type or muscle mass. For example someone who is 5'5" tall and weighs 140 pounds will have a BMI of 23.3 and someone who is 5'10" tall and weighs 175 will have a BMI of 25.1. If you have a BMI of over 25 you are considered to be overweight and if you have a BMI of over 30 then you are considered to be obese. The body mass index calculation does not apply to athletes and body builders or pregnant women. If you wish to find your own BMI all you need to do is do a search on the Internet for BMI index and you will find a number of web sites that will calculate your BMI for you.

A recent 14 year study of middle aged women with a Body mass index of between 23 and 25 had an increase in the risk factor for coronary heart disease of over 50 percent. This study showed a direct connection between heart related diseases and obesity.

The left ventricle of the heart pumps oxygenated blood thought out the human body. Abnormalities of the left ventricle is primarily associated with high blood pressure or hypertension. However, there are recorded cases with this abnormality of the left ventricle has been seen where the patient is only suffering from sever obesity but has no signs of hypertension. This condition can lead to congestive heart disease and failure.

It has been shown that even a small reduction in overall weight such as caused by restriction of sodium in the diet, can dramatically improve heart function. Sodium restriction will only reduce overall weight for the short term but it is a good way to kick-start your weight reduction routine. If you suffer from morbid obesity, BMI index of over 40, you may be a candidate for gastro-intestinal surgery which can cause a drastic weight loss. Today over 33 percent of the American population is considered to be obese (BMI 30) and between 5 and 10 million are considered to be morbidly obese.

Everyone knows that reducing you food or calorie intake, some medications, getting proper exercise and quiting smoking can lead to weight reduction. Certain genetic and social factors can have a direct effect on how much you weigh. If your family has a history of being over weight then you are at risk of being over weight. If you attend a lot of social functions where food is the primary attraction then again you will be at risk. What is now well known is that certain allergic reactions to specific foods can cause weight gains and also can cause mental health issues.

If you have ever had a craving for a specific food that will not go away until you satisfy that craving. Dr William Philopott has speculated that frequent ingestion of allergenic foods will trigger a rise in the amount of opioid enkephalin found in the brain which is a natural narcotic that is produced by the human body. These chemicals can cause you to suffer from withdrawal symptoms when access to a particular food is denied.

Irritability, weakness, and hunger symptoms will not go away when food is consumed in normal amounts they you may be having an allergic and addictive response which in turn can result in uncontrollable eating.

Your health care professional may put you on a low allergen diet. After having started the low-allergen diet the patient usually experience a marked increased sense of well being with a first month. Food allergies or food intolerance can cause the body to retain both water and fat. Water retention is a common symptom of an allergic response. With a low-allergen diet a rapid water loss of five to ten pounds within a week is often noticed and after the excess water has been removed from the human body the patient will tend to loose fat more readily.

Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with weight loss such as vitamin B, copper, Natural diuretics, Garlic, Lecithin and M.S.M.

Vitamin B taken together as B-Complex perform vital biological processes including aiding in the healing process for congestive heart failure and reduces fluid retention. Vitamin B boost energy levels.

There is strong evidence that trace mineral Copper is vital to the tensile strength of the coronary blood vessels.

Natural diuretics are contained in cranberries, anything that has caffeine and apple cider vinegar. Fruits and vegetables such as watermelon and cucumbers contain a lot of water and will help increase urination.

Garlic counteract the usual result of high fats in the diet and to help reduce high blood pressure.

Lecithin has the potential to protect against fat clogged arteries when take daily.

M.S.M maintains the development of the body's protein by forming flexible disulfide bonds between certain amino acids and in maintaining the strength of connective tissue. This allows water and nutrients to flow freely into cells and allows toxins to flow freely out of the cells. M.S.M increases athletic stamina and helps eliminate muscle soreness. M.S.M is a natural supplement that is getting a lot of attention due to its role in tissue healing at the cellular level. It is a natural organic sulfur that comes from rain fall and is found naturally in the human body.

This report is nutritional in nature and not to be construed as medical advice.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

David Cowley has created numerous articles on heart disease. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to heart disease and how to treat them. Visit Heart Disease