Nutrition Information

Food thats Good for a Healthy Heart


Here's a conundrum: While experts agree that high cholesterol and blood pressure are crucial heart disease risk factors, many people who suffer chest pain or even heart attacks have levels that are perfectly normal. This puzzle has prompted researchers to scour the body for other cardiovascular villains. Several have emerged in recent years, but the one that stands out the most is inflammation.

The latest studies suggest that chronic inflammation of the lining of arteries is an important factor in the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. What causes this inflammation is not clear, but the good news is that (1) the advice that is given for lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and triglycerides also works fine for fighting inflammation; and (2) you can tackle all 4 culprits with the help of dietary weapons - http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/nutrients.htm In fact, you can plan your war against heart disease in your kitchen. Here is how:

1. Think like an artist when you choose fruits and vegetables: Eat those with the brightest colors. They have the most heart protective antioxidant pigments. A diet high in fruits and veggies also provides another important heart benefit, salicylic acid, which is the same anti-inflammatory compound created when aspirin is broken down in the body.

2. Increase food sources of omega-3 fatty acids which target high triglycerides in the blood. Good sources of omega-3s include fish such as sardines, mackerel; nuts and seeds; green leafy vegetables; grains like wheat, bajra; legumes like rajma, cowpea, and black gram.

3. Reduce the amount of meats you eat, especially red meats, and always select lean cuts. Use meat as a seasoning for vegetable dishes rather than the focal point of a meal.

4. Cut down on salt and instead use herbs and spices like ginger, garlic, turmeric and fenugreek liberally in your cooking; the first three are naturally anti-inflammatory and the last has soluble fibre which helps sweep away cholesterol from the arteries.

5. Shift to groundnut, mustard, rice bran and olive oils which contain monosaturated fatty acids that help lower (bad) LDL and maintain levels of (good) HDL cholesterol. Drastically limit margarine, vegetable shortening, butter and all products made with partially hydrogenated oils.

6. Fruits and vegetables, whole grains (wheat, brown rice, oats), beans and pulses, are also great sources of soluble and insoluble fibre, which trap LDLs and usher them out of the body.

About The Author

Get helpful information on vitamins, amino acids, herbs, minerals and other nutrients for a healthier life - http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/.

If you wish to reproduce the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this resource box and LIVE link to our website


MORE RESOURCES:

Planet Nutrition's Subsidiary IM & M Exercise Equipment Inc ...
CNNMoney.com - 10 hours ago
Planet Nutrition's Subsidiary IM & M Exercise Equipment, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: PNHL) recently announced the completion of the CSU Football Strength and ...


New tool helps schools track physical activity and nutrition policies
Leland Tribune, NC - 7 hours ago
According to NC Nutrition and Physical Activity Surveillance System 2006, one in four 5- to 11-year-olds and nearly one in three 12- to 18-year-olds are ...


PERRYMAN NUTRITION COLUMN: BEST BITES FOR A BIG DAY
Media Newswire (press release), NY - 7 hours ago
FORT COLLINS - You can bet that Barak Obama is gearing up for a very big week in Colorado right now. And like many of us, he's probably following a routine ...


Public input: School lunches not good eating
Atlanta Journal Constitution,  USA - 7 hours ago
Brownies given the same nutritional value as a slice of whole-wheat bread. Federal nutrition programs are failing children and contributing to an epidemic ...


DC Brands Annual Shareholders Meeting Completed
MarketWatch - 59 minutes ago
In 2007, DC Brands purchased the assets of HARD Nutrition and began its quest to produce a new health line of products. DC Brands is now proud to announce ...


Day Care Meal Provider Serves Up Nutrition and Education
MarketWatch - Aug 20, 2008
Each day's meal has at least one food item that is a good example of the nutritional value the lesson plan is describing, he said. "The meals really are now ...


Vitamin Shoppe Launches New Online Community
MarketWatch - 7 hours ago
"Since the boards launched in early August, topics that have been discussed include nutrition, dieting, health conditions, bodybuilding, and vitamins," ...


PPOLNews (press release)

INFINIT Nutrition raffling a free registration to the Suzuki 24 ...
PPOLNews (press release), NY - 5 hours ago
CHICAGO, IL - INFINIT Nutrition, the worldwide leader in customized sports nutrition, is raffling a free registration to the Suzuki 24 Hours of Moab ...


BioGaia Enters Agreement With Nestlé Nutrition
NPIcenter (press release), Canada - 9 hours ago
The company already has an agreement with Nestlé Nutrition in the area of healthcare nutrition. Nestlé Nutrition is the world leader in specialised ...


Don’t let rising food costs affect nutrition
NorthernLife.ca, Canada - 7 hours ago
(NC)-While food prices continue to rise, it is important to ensure that child nutrition and the healthy development of children remain a priority both at ...

Nutrition - Google News

home | site map
© 2006