Better Nutrition Article:
Food thats Good for a Healthy Heart
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/.
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
Related Better News and Articles From ezinearticles.com
Many people struggle translating the heaps of dietary advice they receive from their doctors and the mainstream media into reality. Everyone knows that it is better for you to eat fresh fish and steamed vegetables, for example, than a cheeseburger and a plate of greasy french fries.
People realize that when they eat a specific animal, it came from a specific location. For instance, if you were to eat venison, the deer you ate was probably hunted in a forest within the United States.
What are some simple changes you can make to your daily lunch routine to support your health? Try a quick lunch upgrade to help give you the energy you need to make it through your busy day.
Today's American society has begun eating a very unhealthy diet. We promote this diet through advertisements, and our busy lifestyles force us to make unhealthy choices. Most of us have become so accustomed to the way that we do things that we don't even realize how unhealthy our way of life has become.
These days many diet pills are available in the market which are often dangerous and packed with other unhealthy ingredients. Many of you also go on dieting plan for losing weight. When you go on a diet and starve, your body's survival instinct is triggered and you automatically go on energy saving mode. This reduces your metabolism and helps you burn fewer calories. In fact your body begins to feed on itself.
With poorer quality food items flooding shelves and far less active lifestyles taking hold, it's becoming increasingly difficult for Americans to stay in shape. This means there has been a steady rise in cardiovascular disease, as well as increased rates of diabetes and obesity nationwide.
Vegetarianism has become increasingly popular now that more of us are becoming familiar with all of the health benefits provided by a plant based diet. It is well established that a vegetarian diet decreases the chances of contracted many diseases and health conditions.
There are many reasons why individuals choose to become vegetarian. For this reason, there are just as many different degrees of vegetarianism. Some go the vegetarian route because of religious beliefs that promote peace between animals and humans. Others choose not to eat animals or animal byproducts because of ethical concerns for the way food animals are raised and treated.
Americans are recently discovering the benefits of eating a healthier, more natural diet. This change consists mainly of introducing more plant foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Often, even those of us who have made a commitment to do this feel overwhelmed because of our lack of knowledge of how to incorporate these healthier foods into our diets.
Are you considering becoming raw? Here are 5 easy tips to get started today!
