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
no-contract cleaning service Des Plaines ..I had finally come to a place in my life... Read More
I'm going to be a bit radical here, but know... Read More
Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential to the development... Read More
The Mediterranean Diet is now recognized as one of the... Read More
The latest tallies show that over three million people in... Read More
About 12.6 million Americans currently have heart disease.1.1 million Americans... Read More
With all the news about Splenda of late and the... Read More
When I hear the word fat I usually think of... Read More
Do we really need a home water filter? Can't we... Read More
While packages of the artificial sweetener Splenda claim, "made from... Read More
The first place that we cut corners when we are... Read More
Unfortunately, the words "diet" and "cheating" go hand in hand.... Read More
Since the 1930's the western diet has dramatically changed. This... Read More
First of all you have to have a bucket. You... Read More
Are you sick and tired of the confusion about our... Read More
It seems as if the health of America is failing.... Read More
Some say they don't or can't buy organic foods due... Read More
A beautiful smile and healthy mouth actually can come from... Read More
Here's a conundrum: While experts agree that high cholesterol and... Read More
Heart Disease remains the number one cause of death in... Read More
During the Second World War, the Germans used fluoride as... Read More
Today, more than ever, consumers over the age of 50... Read More
Cranberry juice was first made by American settlers in 1683.... Read More
A hundred years ago, life was very different here on... Read More
Meal sizes and frequency are very important. Over the years... Read More
bathroom cleaning service Lake Forest ..When I hear the word fat I usually think of... Read More
I would like to raise a question: Is Rejuvenation possible... Read More
Are You Half The Man Your Father Was?It is a... Read More
I'd like to explain an important concept that most online... Read More
DeathDeath. Why it happens? Why do we die? Why do... Read More
Having spent most of my life living off of junk... Read More
Meal replacements have been part of the diet landscape for... Read More
The problem with sugar is that it doesn't contain any... Read More
If you are like most people, you've tried dieting before.... Read More
1. Look for high quality, crystalline, free-form, amino acids (AAs)... Read More
Unhealthy eating is a harmful problem in America, and contrary... Read More
Evidence for the importance of fruit and vegetable intake to... Read More
With the array of different diets and diet foods available... Read More
Originally, all foods were "organic" ? grown and prepared without... Read More
During the Second World War, the Germans used fluoride as... Read More
What is the Atkins diet and how can it help... Read More
Fruit calories are very healthy as compared to calories in... Read More
Diet nutrition physiqueToday, learning about diet nutrition physique isn't all... Read More
Do you want more energy? How about more of the... Read More
Some fats are good for you. Your body can't function... Read More
Many people use sugar as medicine. Sugar tends to change... Read More
At any grocery store in North America right now, there... Read More
AgingHow did aging appeared?If mechanism of Death was chosen by... Read More
Remember the old adage, you are what you eat? The... Read More
Constipation is a condition whereby the fecal matter traveling through... Read More
Nutrition |