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
best cleaning company Highland Park ..Post nasal drip is a sensation of mucous build up... Read More
It is ironic how something as obvious as nutrition has... Read More
The most dreaded word in many dieter's vocabulary is 'fat'.... Read More
Apple cider vinegar is a product of apple juice fermentation.... Read More
Quick Overview- I think the most important thing for people... Read More
Magnesium is an important mineral that serves numerous essential functions... Read More
If you're suffering from constipation, you are no doubt looking... Read More
Food nutrition factsFinding food nutrition facts and dietary nutrition used... Read More
Hi Readers,My message today is simple short and perhaps blunt... Read More
Cholesterol has been around for thousands of years. It's a... Read More
Increasing the fiber in your diet has been shown to:... Read More
Some say they don't or can't buy organic foods due... Read More
Summer is not too far away. It is almost time... Read More
If you are like most people, you don't enjoy the... Read More
The topic of nutrition is one that is always present... Read More
Summer brings a lot of fantastic things with it, but... Read More
Dr. Christine Wood, M.D, a practicing pediatrician in Encinitas, California,... Read More
Whether you're concerned about cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or simply... Read More
If you have a business trip tomorrow morning, you've probably... Read More
Do you notice your child putting off going to the... Read More
Okay, before we start, let me explain the purpose of... Read More
Just as our country is currently engaged in a war... Read More
The above foods contain high antioxidant capacity. These foods were... Read More
For most people, the concept of capsulized food? usually conjures... Read More
Since the 1930's the western diet has dramatically changed. This... Read More
high-end home cleaning Winnetka ..Our bodies need cholesterol. We use cholesterol to produce vitamin... Read More
Bread is one of the oldest known recipes to man.... Read More
Mineral nutritionSearching for mineral nutrition information is much easier today... Read More
"It's not what you eat, it's what's eating you that... Read More
Following a diet program of any sort can sometimes be... Read More
There are numerous diets out there that guarantee that they... Read More
The proliferation of fast food restaurants, convenience stores, and vending... Read More
Wow! Is it just me or? Wait! Let me start... Read More
About 12.6 million Americans currently have heart disease.1.1 million Americans... Read More
It is amazing to be able to say I am... Read More
They sit left behind on relish trays. They're often by-passed... Read More
A hundred years ago, life was very different here on... Read More
Random thoughts taken from valuable sources, what many nutrition experts... Read More
"It is a bone-deep change you are going into, my... Read More
Fad diets have been around for more than 50 years... Read More
Step 1: Eat five to ten servings per day of... Read More
When you take your food next time, take care of... Read More
With so many people concerned about natural and organic foods... Read More
OK, no more excuses. Here's how to stop making everyone... Read More
Everyone can benefit from understanding how food affects our... Read More
Come on, guys and gals. Those Trix are for kids.And... Read More
How many times have you tried to diet/lose weight in... Read More
When you actually sit down and think about it, bottled... Read More
Tired of having stare-downs with those boxes of Krispy Kremes,... Read More
Obesity is epidemic in this country for both children and... Read More
Nutrition |