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/nutrients.htm.
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
home cleaning services Deerfield ..Hi Readers,My message today is simple short and perhaps blunt... Read More
To research the health risks Sweet 'N Low and other... Read More
The factors that affect the nutritional requirements of an individual... Read More
I'm 40-something years old, and for 40-something years breakfast has... Read More
Most digestive disorders develop because of the bodys inability to... Read More
If you drop a bomb, you kill not only your... Read More
Summer is not too far away. It is almost time... Read More
There are numerous diets out there that guarantee that they... Read More
Nutrition is extremely important for any young person, especially an... Read More
Bread is one of the oldest known recipes to man.... Read More
Lactose is the primary carbohydrate in milk. Cow's milk contains... Read More
You would probably think that I was writing a lot... Read More
The old clich? that you are what you eat is... Read More
How To Have A Healthy ThanksgivingEnd of the year holidays... Read More
The cry of "I have no willpower!" often emerges from... Read More
"To eat an apple before going to bed will make... Read More
Magnesium is an important mineral that serves numerous essential functions... Read More
White-spotted or yellow splotched teeth may reveal more than needed... Read More
Essential fatty acids are the number one recommendation for anyone... Read More
Following these simple nutrition guidelines will allow you to lose... Read More
I read a lot about the topics of health and... Read More
The quality of food we eat (or lack thereof) has... Read More
You can trust me that I make sure to take... Read More
"You are what you eat."Does it sound familiar? You probably... Read More
When you take your food next time, take care of... Read More
recurring housekeeping Highland Park ..Did you know the average American gains 5-7 pounds every... Read More
I would like to dispel some of the myths and... Read More
All carbohydrates are not the same. Generally it is assumed... Read More
Weight loss plans are almost always trying to get you... Read More
Post nasal drip is a sensation of mucous build up... Read More
Cranberry juice was first made by American settlers in 1683.... Read More
A beautiful smile and healthy mouth actually can come from... Read More
There are a lot of very good reasons to eat... Read More
Do you know the risks to daily intakes of Starbucks... Read More
An American culture that is marked by a chronic lack... Read More
Okay, so you think you are doing pretty well with... Read More
It is ironic how something as obvious as nutrition has... Read More
With so much 'diet advice' around today it is little... Read More
Summer brings a lot of fantastic things with it, but... Read More
Your fiber intake is a critical factor in weight loss... Read More
If you drop a bomb, you kill not only your... Read More
The subject of health care itself often seems plagued with... Read More
Many people avoid avocados thinking them to be fattening, but... Read More
Do we really need a home water filter? Can't we... Read More
The ingredients list found on the back or side panel... Read More
I want to tell you about the most healthful and... Read More
What is health? Everyone wants this thing called health, and... Read More
The importance of protein in diet has been clearly established... Read More
You may have noticed an ever-expanding choice of oils at... Read More
Almost every woman suffers with premenstrual syndrome at one time... Read More
Nutrition |