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
whole house cleaning Highland Park ..Nutrition is extremely important for any young person, especially an... Read More
They're not only good for you, but they taste good,... Read More
Many of us sprinkle oregano on our pizza and stews... Read More
Coconut oil is less known compare to olive oil, corn... Read More
Do you know your ph? By getting ph strips at... Read More
1. Look for high quality, crystalline, free-form, amino acids (AAs)... Read More
It is believed that cane sugar was discovered before the... Read More
Students might start thinking a little differently, once they learn... Read More
In this newsletter we will discuss the current controversy about... Read More
Chances are you may have had a food product that... Read More
Most red and white meats are very fatty and are... Read More
For those of us that understand nutrition and it's importance... Read More
Spring is in the air and ? summer is around... Read More
Acid Reflux Disease, or GERD, is a common disease which... Read More
Did you know that there might be poison in many... Read More
Beverages - and not just alcohol - are a significant... Read More
Nuts are readily available and provide a highly nutritious food.... Read More
Glucosamine is readily produced in the human body and is... Read More
It's really hard to believe that something could be worse... Read More
Protein is one of the basic building blocks of the... Read More
America's major dietary deficiency - EFA a panacea for good... Read More
With all the news about Splenda of late and the... Read More
I'll preface this article by saying that it will help... Read More
Have you seen those "fat free" foods in supermarkets? Have... Read More
The concept isometric has been a part of the health... Read More
pet-friendly home cleaners Glenview ..Recently, trans fats have risen to the forefront of the... Read More
While there are many effective ways to get more energy... Read More
According to the National Institute of Health, Magnesium is needed... Read More
Some say they don't or can't buy organic foods due... Read More
Summer brings a lot of fantastic things with it, but... Read More
Essential fatty acids are the number one recommendation for anyone... Read More
When Helen Boardman was still a girlish 99, she fell... Read More
Do you know your ph? By getting ph strips at... Read More
Salt does Not Cause High Blood Pressure. Some things you... Read More
You say you don't know what glyconutrients are? You are... Read More
Proper hydration is extremely important during exercise. Adequate fluid intake... Read More
So what's all the shake up about anyway?. To put... Read More
Finally, dieters and healthy eaters everywhere have reason to rejoice,... Read More
The old clich? that you are what you eat is... Read More
You can start today - right now, even - on... Read More
When I hear the word fat I usually think of... Read More
Today's tip is on hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).Hypoglycemia affects both... Read More
The above foods contain high antioxidant capacity. These foods were... Read More
While oxygen is the key to human survival, it is... Read More
Headlines:Nearly a quarter of American adults just got diagnosed with... Read More
We come from a society where growing organic and just... Read More
Each and every person living in the UK is... Read More
The secret of success is knowing how to deal with... Read More
Whatever diet you choose to live by, the food you... Read More
Niacin, also called nicotinic acid, is a member of the... Read More
Nutrition |