The Healthy Heart Miracle: Your Roadmap to Lifelong Health [Hardcover]

Gabe Mirkin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 23, 2003

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."

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com 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

Review

If you want to live longer and healthier, or are concerned about...a loved one, buy this book. (Larry King )

At last, a sensible diet plan that will tickle your taste buds, while promoting good health. (Michael F. Jacobson, Ph.D., Executive Director of CSPI (Center for Science in the Public Interest) )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1 edition (December 23, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060196807
• ISBN-13: 978-0060196806
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,130,944 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Healthy Heart Miracle by Mirkin, May 29, 2004

By 

Joseph S. Maresca "Dr. Joseph S. Maresca CPA,... (Bronxville, New York USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Healthy Heart Miracle: Your Roadmap to Lifelong Health (Hardcover)

This book will assist you in maintaining a healthy heart utilizing natural protocols. The authors caution to utilize
refined carbs sparingly. Protein builds up the body in elderly people. As such, lean meat, fish and non-fat dairy are preferred.
The DASH protocol is described at length. It involves generous helpings of fruits, veggies, fat-free dairy, nuts, legumes and olive oil. Exercises are depicted to assist arthritis sufferers.
One exercise involves sitting in a chair, folding the arms and
bending forward. The C-reactive protein and homocysteine blood levels are cited as meaningful predictors of heart disease.
This book is an excellent value for the money. It will help you craft a meaningful exercise program and diet regimen. The contents will benefit people of all ages. The book is directed to middle-aged and elderly people. As such, it will benefit this constituency maximally.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Needed to take control, January 15, 2004

By 

Bonnielu "Bonnielu" (Western, Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Healthy Heart Miracle: Your Roadmap to Lifelong Health (Hardcover)

My cravings and bingeing of sweet carbs was so bad that I needed to take control. My husband who has been a follower of Dr.Mirkin for years decided it would make a great holiday present. Because of all the diet advice out there, often contradictory, I decided to read the book backwards. I was impressed with the resources and references. Most impressive is the way the book is laid out and how clear each section is to follow.I especially like the fact that medical jargon is made simple. Because I was just diagnosed with insulin resistance I think Dr. Mirkin has given me the key to taking back my life. I am anxiously waiting for him to schedule book signings so I may meet him in person after all these years of listening to him on the radio and reading his marvelous website.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of his books yet!, January 12, 2004

By 

"1l8ebug" (Mentor, OH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Healthy Heart Miracle: Your Roadmap to Lifelong Health (Hardcover)

Thank you soooo much for your wonderful book. It is the best yet! Your info is so understandable for a lay person such as myself (not a medical professional). and all the recipes we've tried have been wonderful. I've been passing them out to everyone and telling everyone about the wonderful book. No excuses any more for anyone to be overweight or unhealthy. I have been on your diet for about 8 years now and have even fine tuned it to the Dash plus. I eat a lot of food (the food you recommend) and I am 108 lbs., 56 yrs old, have great blood pressure and cholesterol readings. Plus a great exercise program for the week. I feel I am doing the best I can do
for my health. How satisfying! Yet some people just don't want to hear it. So instead of talking about it, they just see me living it. Thank you again. Keep up the good work - miss you on the radio but I listen to your archives.