NTA NTP 13: Cardiovascular UPDATED
ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT
Answers
Cardiovascular Health: Big Idea #1 (Food) - CORRECT ANSWER - Heart disease results
from over-consumption of processed foods
Cardiovascular Health: Big Idea #2 (Whole Body/Foundations) - CORRECT ANSWER -
The health of the heart reflects the health of the body, ALWAYS address the foundations first
Cardiovascular Health: Big Idea #3 (The Big "I") - CORRECT ANSWER - Inflammation
is a significant cause of the most common form of heart disease
Foundations and Cardiovascular Health: Diet - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. As mentioned in
the Big Ideas, heart
disease is a processed food disease
2. A diet of properly‐prepared, nutrient‐dense
foods is fundamental for a healthy heart
─> Whole grains have naturally‐occurring B1 vitamins and B4
─> Cold‐pressed oils, raw nuts and seeds provide essential fatty acids
Foundations and Cardiovascular Health: Digestion - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Good
protein digestion is critical to make the amino acids needed by the heart available (like taurine
and carnitine)
2. Proper stomach pH is needed to absorb calcium and digest the B vitamins
3. Proper liver/gallbladder function enables you to digest healthy fats and the fat‐soluble
vitamins
4. Proper bowel flora is needed to produce vitamins B1, B2, B12, and K2
, Foundations and Cardiovascular Health: Blood Sugar Balance - CORRECT ANSWER - 1.
Blood sugar imbalances lead to an overproduction of cortisol during the "fight or flight" response
(Remember the cortisol cascade
from the Endocrine Module?)
2. This can lead to insulin resistance, which compromises mineral uptake by the cells
3. High insulin also blocks the PG1 pathway for prostaglandin anti‐inflammatory production
Foundations and Cardiovascular Health: Fatty Acids - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. The truth
is that good fats are the best source of energy for the heart
─> Fish oil is especially good
2. The appropriate mix of fatty acids is critical for the management of inflammation
─> Inflammation is now considered to be a major factor contributing to heart disease
3. Remember that fatty acids are an essential part of the cell membranes that make up the tissues
of the heart and the coronary
arteries
Additional info. (from Amanda):
4. Vitamin K2 plays an important role in depositing calcium into bones, rather than soft tissue
like arteries; vitamin D also helps the body absorb calcium needed for proper cardiovascular
function
5. Vitamins A and E are powerful antioxidants that help protect blood lipids and cells
membranes in the endothelial lining
6. Trans fatty acids and damaged fatty acids can increase oxidation of other blood lipids such as
LDL particles
7. Healthy dietary fats help supply body with lasting fuel source which can help maintain healthy
BSR and preventing insulin/cortisol swings
8. Omega 3s have anticoagulant & blood pressure lowering effects
Foundations and Cardiovascular Health: Mineral Balance - CORRECT ANSWER - 1.
Magnesium and calcium are essential for a healthy heart
─> Calcium triggers the contraction and relaxation of the heart (as well as all muscles)
─> Magnesium is also important, because without the appropriate calcium‐magnesium ratio, the
calcium will not work (irregular heartbeats are often a sign of mag. deficiencies)
ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT
Answers
Cardiovascular Health: Big Idea #1 (Food) - CORRECT ANSWER - Heart disease results
from over-consumption of processed foods
Cardiovascular Health: Big Idea #2 (Whole Body/Foundations) - CORRECT ANSWER -
The health of the heart reflects the health of the body, ALWAYS address the foundations first
Cardiovascular Health: Big Idea #3 (The Big "I") - CORRECT ANSWER - Inflammation
is a significant cause of the most common form of heart disease
Foundations and Cardiovascular Health: Diet - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. As mentioned in
the Big Ideas, heart
disease is a processed food disease
2. A diet of properly‐prepared, nutrient‐dense
foods is fundamental for a healthy heart
─> Whole grains have naturally‐occurring B1 vitamins and B4
─> Cold‐pressed oils, raw nuts and seeds provide essential fatty acids
Foundations and Cardiovascular Health: Digestion - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Good
protein digestion is critical to make the amino acids needed by the heart available (like taurine
and carnitine)
2. Proper stomach pH is needed to absorb calcium and digest the B vitamins
3. Proper liver/gallbladder function enables you to digest healthy fats and the fat‐soluble
vitamins
4. Proper bowel flora is needed to produce vitamins B1, B2, B12, and K2
, Foundations and Cardiovascular Health: Blood Sugar Balance - CORRECT ANSWER - 1.
Blood sugar imbalances lead to an overproduction of cortisol during the "fight or flight" response
(Remember the cortisol cascade
from the Endocrine Module?)
2. This can lead to insulin resistance, which compromises mineral uptake by the cells
3. High insulin also blocks the PG1 pathway for prostaglandin anti‐inflammatory production
Foundations and Cardiovascular Health: Fatty Acids - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. The truth
is that good fats are the best source of energy for the heart
─> Fish oil is especially good
2. The appropriate mix of fatty acids is critical for the management of inflammation
─> Inflammation is now considered to be a major factor contributing to heart disease
3. Remember that fatty acids are an essential part of the cell membranes that make up the tissues
of the heart and the coronary
arteries
Additional info. (from Amanda):
4. Vitamin K2 plays an important role in depositing calcium into bones, rather than soft tissue
like arteries; vitamin D also helps the body absorb calcium needed for proper cardiovascular
function
5. Vitamins A and E are powerful antioxidants that help protect blood lipids and cells
membranes in the endothelial lining
6. Trans fatty acids and damaged fatty acids can increase oxidation of other blood lipids such as
LDL particles
7. Healthy dietary fats help supply body with lasting fuel source which can help maintain healthy
BSR and preventing insulin/cortisol swings
8. Omega 3s have anticoagulant & blood pressure lowering effects
Foundations and Cardiovascular Health: Mineral Balance - CORRECT ANSWER - 1.
Magnesium and calcium are essential for a healthy heart
─> Calcium triggers the contraction and relaxation of the heart (as well as all muscles)
─> Magnesium is also important, because without the appropriate calcium‐magnesium ratio, the
calcium will not work (irregular heartbeats are often a sign of mag. deficiencies)
