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
family-safe home cleaners Morton Grove ..What is the best protein powder to buy? I get... Read More
When was the last time you consumed soda? Most likely,... Read More
Fat is a nutrient that is a contributor to the... Read More
Obesity is epidemic in this country for both children and... Read More
With today's time constraints, stressful jobs, and "thin is in"... Read More
America's focus on nutritious eating began to receive national attention... Read More
Your fiber intake is a critical factor in weight loss... Read More
Media coverage of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has incited... Read More
With the release of the new dietary guidelines, in the... Read More
Since the beginning of time, everyday fruits have been known... Read More
Water is the most abundant substance in the human body.... Read More
According to the Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis... Read More
Biological clockObviously you need biological clock to time and alarm... Read More
The word 'homeostasis' is made up of two Greek words:... Read More
About 12.6 million Americans currently have heart disease.1.1 million Americans... Read More
Carbohydrates - found in grains, breads, pasta, and sugar, as... Read More
In large part, you're in control of your health, not... Read More
Vitamins & Minerals are essential to sustain life. Its what... Read More
You must add some fresh cherries, which are now in... Read More
Nature works mostly on the principle of thing and no... Read More
Many people use sugar as medicine. Sugar tends to change... Read More
Flaxseeds may be the smallest seeds you will find in... Read More
Hormonal changes during pregnancy, and quite normal fat gain often... Read More
One of the most common questions I am asked is... Read More
I would like to raise a question: Is Rejuvenation possible... Read More
home cleaning services Wilmette ..Our bodies are truly incredible machines. What makes cells healthy?... Read More
1. Look for high quality, crystalline, free-form, amino acids (AAs)... Read More
What Ever Happened to the Basic FourThe USDA was originally... Read More
Because all of us have been brought up eating junk... Read More
Organic farming is the production of food using all natural... Read More
Soy, and most soy-based products, are nutritional powerhouses. Soybeans are... Read More
The fact that diet directly affects behaviour is no news,... Read More
You may have noticed an ever-expanding choice of oils at... Read More
For a natural and tasty way to improve your health... Read More
What ancient tribes and people of the Amazon have known... Read More
It is shocking how many people are not taking advantage... Read More
Factory FarmingThe big names in American agriculture would like you... Read More
The Food Pyramid, first introduced to the US in 1992,... Read More
Your fiber intake is a critical factor in weight loss... Read More
Better sleep = better metabolism. I have been saying it... Read More
The cry of "I have no willpower!" often emerges from... Read More
Food addiction isn't a problem. Pretending like you can't live... Read More
Many people avoid avocados thinking them to be fattening, but... Read More
Coq10 is also known as Coenzyme Q10.This co q10 is... Read More
A frequent misunderstanding about macrobiotics is that it is a... Read More
(Part 1 of a Special 5 Part Series on Body... Read More
You can spot a juicer a mile off at the... Read More
How many magazines have you read where they tell you... Read More
On average 30% of foods in our daily diet are... Read More
Nails are a protective horn at the end of our... Read More
Nutrition |